800 000 BC. – the first pugs of people occured in the territory of today Belgium
500 BC – Celtic tribes settled here, from their name – lat. Belgae – comes contemporary name of the state and people
150 BC – the first coins were made
57 BC – Julius Caesar and his army occupied the land of Belgae – new Roma province Gallia Belgica.
5th century – Belgium is a part of Frankish Empire and than a part of Holy Roman Empire.
977 - foundation of Brussels
981 - Vikings were defeated in 981 by Arnulf of Carinthia
11th and 12th century – Belgium is divided into 7 historical lands:
13th and 14th century - the golden age of Flanders: „By importing wool from England and weaving it into fine cloth for sale on the continent, the Flemish cities became exceedingly wealthy, populous, and powerful. By 1300, Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres, in particular, had gained virtual autonomy from aristocratic rule, developing the proud civic culture that still distinguishes them today."
The Kingdom of France tried to control the Flanders – it was successful in 1329.
14th-15th century – in the end of the Hundred Year War (1337-1453) between France and England, Philip the Bold of Burgundy became the ruler of Flanders in 1384 – the beginning of the Burgundian Period
1482 – 1795 – the rule of Habsburg Dynasty – the lands of Belgium are united with Spain (until 1715) and then with Austria
1795-1815 – French occupation
1815 - Belgium became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
1830 – Belgium was separated from the Netherlands – independent Kingdom of the Belgium
Belgian Revolution 1830 - source |
1914-18 – First World War – first German occupation
1940-44 – Second World War - Nazi occupation – second German occupation
1944 – Belgium, together with Luxemburg and Netherlands becomes a commonwealth of states - Benelux
1949 - Belgium becomes a member of the NATO
1952 – Belgium is one of the constituent members of the European Union, Brussels is a capital city of the European Union
1977 - the country was divided into three administrative regions: Flanders (Flemings), Valonia (Valons), and Brussels
1980 - new Belgian constitution
1993 - Belgium becomes a federation
Belgium is today at risk of disintegration, due to the nationalism of Valons and Flemings