Belgium

The Belgian Revolution was a conflict in 1830 that led to the secession of the Southern provinces from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and established an independent Kingdom of Belgium. The revolution was sparked by various factors including cultural, religious, and economic differences. It began in August 1830 after a performance of a nationalistic opera in Brussels and was characterized by civil disturbances and protests. By October 4, the Provisional Government declared independence. Despite military efforts by the Dutch king to reverse the situation, European powers recognized Belgium as an independent country at the London Conference of 1830–1831.

On December 23, 1909, Albert I became King of the Belgians following the death of his uncle, King Leopold II. His reign is noted for guiding Belgium through World War I, where he became a symbol of national unity and resistance against German occupation. Despite the German advance in 1914, he refused to surrender and commanded the Belgian army in the Yser sector. Post-war, he supported the League of Nations and modernized Belgium's education and labor laws. Albert I's leadership left a lasting impact on Belgium's history and national identity.

On March 12, 1950, Belgium held a referendum known as the Royal Question. It was a national vote on whether King Leopold III should return to the throne after World War II. During the war, Leopold's controversial decisions, including his surrender to Nazi Germany and alleged collaboration, caused deep divisions among Belgians. The referendum revealed a split nation, with the majority in Flanders supporting his return, while Wallonia and Brussels opposed it. Despite the referendum result in favor of his return, ongoing opposition led to Leoopold's abdication in 1951.

The 1958 Brussels World's Fair, also known as Expo 58, was the first major World's Fair after World War II. Held from April 17 to October 19, 1958, it took place at the Heysel Plateau, in Brussels, Belgium. Expo 58 was a showcase of modern advancements in technology and architecture, featuring a futuristic theme. The renowned Atomium, which became a symbol of the fair and a landmark of Brussels, was constructed for this event. The fair hosted 42 million visitors and included innovative displays from 45 participating countries, reflecting the optimism of the post-war era.

On June 30, 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo gained independence from Belgium after 75 years of colonial rule. The transfer of power was rapid, occurring within a year of initial discussions on independence. This event marked a significant shift in Africa's decolonization process. However, independence was accompanied by political unrest and secessionist movements within Congo, notably the Katanga Crisis. Belgium's abrupt disengagement left a legacy of economic dependency and political instability that the DR Congo has struggled with for decades.

In August 1980, the Flemish Movement in Belgium gained significant traction with the passing of the second state reform. This reform further devolved power to the regions and recognized the cultural and linguistic rights of the Flemish-speaking community. The movement advocated for the recognition of Flanders as an autonomous region with its own legislative powers. This reform was a pivotal moment in Belgium's devolution process, emphasizing the country's efforts to balance national unity with regional autonomy and address the demands of linguistic communities.

The Heysel Stadium disaster occurred on May 29, 1985, at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, during the European Cup Final between Juventus and Liverpool. A wall collapse, caused by crowd pressure from spectators rushing to escape, resulted in 39 deaths and 600 injuries, primarily among Juventus fans. The tragedy, influenced by inadequate stadium infrastructure and poor crowd management, significantly impacted European football, leading to a five-year ban on English clubs participating in European competitions. This disaster remains one of the darkest days in sports history.

The constitutional revision on February 7, 1993, transformed Belgium into a federal state. This reformation was aimed at addressing internal linguistic and cultural differences by providing autonomy to different regions and communities. Belgium was divided into three regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital. Additionally, it recognized three language communities: the Flemish, the French, and the German-speaking community. This federalization process aimed to decentralize authority, thereby granting substantial powers to the regions and communities to manage their own affairs while retaining national unity.

On September 20, 2000, Brussels was officially named as the 'Capital of Europe.' This reinforced its role as a leading center of international politics, being the de facto capital of the European Union. Brussels hosts several major EU institutions including the European Commission, the European Council, and the European Parliament. This recognition came as Brussels continued to expand its influence and infrastructure to accommodate the growing responsibilities of hosting multilateral negotiations and policy-making, emphasizing its strategic and symbolic importance to Europe.

On March 22, 2016, Brussels was rocked by a series of coordinated terrorist bombings targeting the Brussels Airport in Zaventem and the Maalbeek metro station in central Brussels. These attacks resulted in 32 civilian deaths and over 300 injuries. Claimed by the Islamic State, these bombings highlighted vulnerabilities in European security and counter-terrorism measures, leading to increased international cooperation and heightened security protocols across Europe. The attacks deeply affected the Belgian capital, prompting a reevaluation of security measures and emergency response strategies.