Bursa

The capture of Bursa by the Ottoman Empire in 1326 marked a significant turning point in Ottoman history. Under the leadership of Orhan, son of Osman I, the Ottomans laid siege to the city which was under the control of the Byzantine Empire. After a prolonged siege, Bursa fell to the Ottomans on April 6, 1326, and subsequently became the first major capital of the Ottoman Empire. This event paved the way for further Ottoman expansion into Europe and set the stage for the rise of the Ottoman Empire as a powerful force in the region.

The Battle of Ankara in 1402 was a significant confrontation between the forces of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid I and the Central Asian warlord Tamerlane (Timur). The battle took place near Ankara and ended with a decisive victory for Tamerlane's forces, resulting in the capture of Sultan Bayezid. This defeat led to a period of instability known as the Ottoman Interregnum, where the empire was temporarily divided among Bayezid's sons, until it was reunified later under Mehmed I.

The Treaty of Lausanne, signed on July 24, 1923, and coming into effect on October 11, 1923, was the peace treaty that officially settled the conflict between the Ottoman Empire and the Allied powers following World War I. This treaty defined the borders of the modern Turkish Republic, leading to the international recognition of Turkey's sovereignty. Bursa, as part of the newly founded Republic of Turkey, became an important hub of industrial and cultural development, marking a new era after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

The 1999 İzmit earthquake, also known as the Kocaeli earthquake, occurred on August 17, 1999, striking northwestern Turkey with a magnitude of 7.6. It was one of the most devastating earthquakes in modern Turkish history, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Bursa, being close to the epicenter, experienced significant tremors which damaged buildings and infrastructure, though it was less affected than İzmit and Istanbul. The earthquake highlighted the need for improved building standards in seismic zones.

On June 11, 2012, Bursa was designated as a candidate city for the 'City of Culture and History' initiative by the Turkish government. This initiative aimed to promote and preserve the rich cultural and historical heritage of the city, known for its Ottoman architecture, historical sites, and cultural diversity. Efforts were made to restore significant landmarks, enhance tourism infrastructure, and promote cultural activities, positioning Bursa as a prominent cultural destination in Turkey and the world.