Editing Brussels (section)

==History==
{{For timeline}}

===Early history===
[[File:Charles de France fondateur de Bruxelles 976 MOD.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine|Charles of Lorraine]], traditionally considered the founder of what would become Brussels, {{circa|979|lk=no}}]]

The history of Brussels is closely linked to that of [[Western Europe]]. Traces of human settlement go back to the [[Stone Age]], with vestiges and place-names related to the civilisation of [[megalith]]s, [[dolmen]]s and [[standing stones]] (Plattesteen near the [[Grand-Place|Grand-Place/Grote Markt]] and [[Tomberg metro station|Tomberg]] in [[Woluwe-Saint-Lambert]], for example). During [[late antiquity]], the region was home to [[Roman Empire|Roman]] occupation, as attested by archaeological evidence discovered on the current site of [[Tour & Taxis]], north-west of the [[Pentagon (Brussels)|Pentagon]] (Brussels' city centre).<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 August 2015|title=Bruxelles: des vestiges romains retrouvés sur le site de Tour et Taxis|language=fr-FR|work=RTBF Info|url=https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/bruxelles/detail_decouverte-majeure-a-bruxelles-des-vestiges-romains-retrouves-sur-le-site-de-tour-et-taxis?id=9048235|access-date=28 April 2017|archive-date=23 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823022836/https://www.rtbf.be/info/regions/bruxelles/detail_decouverte-majeure-a-bruxelles-des-vestiges-romains-retrouves-sur-le-site-de-tour-et-taxis?id=9048235|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Les Romains de Tour & Taxis — Patrimoine – Erfgoed|url=http://patrimoine.brussels/news/les-romains-de-tour-et-taxis|access-date=28 April 2017|website=patrimoine.brussels|language=fr|archive-date=10 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170410140806/http://patrimoine.brussels/news/les-romains-de-tour-et-taxis|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the decline of the [[Western Roman Empire]], it was incorporated into the [[Frankish Empire]].

According to local legend, the origin of the settlement which was to become Brussels lies in Saint [[Gaugericus]]' construction of a chapel on [[Saint-Géry Island|an island]] in the river [[Senne (river)|Senne]] around 580.{{sfn|State|2004|p=269}} The official founding of Brussels is usually said to be around 979, when [[Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine]], transferred the [[relic]]s of the [[martyr]] Saint [[Gudula]] from [[Moorsel]] (located in today's province of [[East Flanders]]) to Saint Gaugericus' chapel. When [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor]], appointed the same Charles to become Duke of [[Lower Lotharingia]] in 977,{{sfn|Riché|1983|p=276}} Charles ordered the construction of the city's first permanent fortification, doing so on that same island.

===Middle Ages===
[[Lambert I, Count of Louvain]], gained the County of Brussels around 1000 by marrying Charles' daughter. Because of its location on the banks of the Senne, on an [[Brabant Road|important trade route]] between the [[County of Flanders|Flemish]] cities of [[Bruges]] and [[Ghent]], and [[Cologne]] in the [[Kingdom of Germany]], Brussels became a commercial centre specialised in the textile trade. The town grew quite rapidly and extended towards the upper town (Treurenberg, [[Coudenberg]] and [[Sablon, Brussels|Sablon/Zavel]] areas), where there was a reduced risk of floods. As the town grew to a population of around 30,000, the surrounding marshes were drained to allow for further expansion. In 1183, the Counts of Leuven became [[Dukes of Brabant]]. Brabant, unlike the county of Flanders, was not fief of the king of France but was incorporated into the [[Holy Roman Empire]].

In the early 13th century, the [[first walls of Brussels]] were built<ref>{{cite web|title=Zo ontstond Brussel|trans-title=This is how Brussels originated|url=http://www.bop.vgc.be/didmat/ogenblikken/achtergrond/ontstaan.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120140134/http://www.bop.vgc.be/didmat/ogenblikken/achtergrond/ontstaan.html|archive-date=20 November 2007|publisher=Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie [Commission of the Flemish Community in Brussels]|language=nl}}</ref> and after this, the city grew significantly. Around this time, work began on what is now the [[Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula]] (1225), replacing an older [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] church.{{sfn|Brigode|1938|p=185–215}} To let the city expand, [[Second walls of Brussels|a second set of walls]] was erected between 1356 and 1383. Traces of these walls can still be seen; the [[Small Ring, Brussels|Small Ring]], a series of boulevards bounding the historical city centre, follows their former course.

===Early modern===
[[File:Brussel.1610.a.jpg|thumb|left|View of Brussels, {{circa|1610|lk=no}}]]

In the 14th century, the marriage between heiress [[Margaret III, Countess of Flanders]], and [[Philip the Bold]], [[Duke of Burgundy]], produced a new Duke of Brabant of the [[House of Valois]], namely [[Anthony, Duke of Brabant|Anthony]], their son.{{sfn|Blockmans|Prevenier|1999|p=30–31}} In 1477, the Burgundian duke [[Charles the Bold]] perished in the [[Battle of Nancy]].{{sfn|Kirk|1868|p=542}} Through the marriage of his daughter [[Mary of Burgundy]] (who was born in Brussels) to Holy Roman Emperor [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor|Maximilian I]], the [[Low Countries]] fell under [[Habsburg]] sovereignty.{{sfn|Armstrong|1957|p=228}} Brabant was integrated into this composite state, and Brussels flourished as the Princely Capital of the prosperous [[Burgundian Netherlands]], also known as the [[Seventeen Provinces]]. After the death of Mary in 1482, her son [[Philip the Handsome]] succeeded as Duke of Burgundy and Brabant.

Philip died in 1506, and he was succeeded by his son [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] who then also became [[King of Spain]] (crowned in the [[Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula]]) and even Holy Roman Emperor at the death of his grandfather Maximilian I in 1519. Charles was now the ruler of a [[Habsburg Empire]] "on which the sun never sets" with Brussels serving as one of his main capitals.<ref name="Capital">{{cite web|date=21 April 2017|title=How Brussels became the capital of Europe 500 years ago|url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/42112/how-brussels-became-the-capital-of-europe-500-years-ago/|access-date=13 August 2019|website=The Brussels Times|archive-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714132914/https://www.brusselstimes.com/brussels/42112/how-brussels-became-the-capital-of-europe-500-years-ago/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Jenkins|first=Everett Jr.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSYkCQAAQBAJ&q=Charles+V+28+years+in+the+netherlands&pg=PA36|title=The Muslim Diaspora (Volume 2, 1500–1799): A Comprehensive Chronology of the Spread of Islam in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas|date=7 May 2015|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9781476608891|access-date=13 August 2019|via=Google Books|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414232943/https://books.google.com/books?id=kSYkCQAAQBAJ&q=Charles+V+28+years+in+the+netherlands&pg=PA36|url-status=live}}</ref> It was in the [[Coudenberg Palace]] that Charles V was declared of age in 1515, and it was there in 1555 that he abdicated all of his possessions and passed the [[Habsburg Netherlands]] to King [[Philip II of Spain]].{{sfn|Wasseige|1995|p=4}} This palace, famous all over Europe, had greatly expanded since it had first become the seat of the Dukes of Brabant, but it was destroyed by fire in 1731.{{sfn|Mardaga|1994|p=222}}{{sfn|Wasseige|1995|p=6–7}}

[[File:Grand- Place BXL1695 -01.jpg|thumb|The [[Grand-Place]] after [[Bombardment of Brussels (1695)|the 1695 bombardment]] by the French army]]

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Brussels was a centre for the [[lace]] industry. In addition, [[Brussels tapestry]] hung on the walls of castles throughout Europe.<ref>Souchal, Geneviève (ed.), ''Masterpieces of Tapestry from the Fourteenth to the Sixteenth Century: An Exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art'', p. 108, 1974, Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Galeries nationales du Grand Palais (France), {{ISBN|0870990861}}, 9780870990861, [https://books.google.com/books?id=e-fZHUt8issC&pg=PA108 google books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029113006/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=e-fZHUt8issC&pg=PA108 |date=29 October 2021 }}</ref><ref>Campbell, ed. ''Tapestry in the Renaissance: Art and Magnificence'', exhibition catalogue, [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] 2002.</ref> In 1695, during the [[Nine Years' War]], King [[Louis XIV]] of France sent troops to [[Bombardment of Brussels (1695)|bombard Brussels with artillery]]. Together with the resulting fire, it was the most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels. The Grand-Place was destroyed, along with 4,000 buildings—a third of all the buildings in the city. The reconstruction of [[Pentagon (Brussels)|the city centre]], effected during subsequent years, profoundly changed its appearance and left numerous traces still visible today.{{sfn|Culot|Hennaut|Demanet|Mierop|1992}}

During the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] in 1708, Brussels again sustained a [[Assault on Brussels (1708)|French attack]], which it repelled. Following the [[Treaty of Utrecht]] in 1713, Spanish sovereignty over the Southern Netherlands was transferred to the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg. This event started the era of the [[Austrian Netherlands]]. Brussels [[Siege of Brussels|was captured]] by France in 1746, during the [[War of the Austrian Succession]],{{sfn|Tucker|2009|p=753}} but was handed back to Austria three years later. It remained with Austria until 1795, when the Southern Netherlands were captured and annexed by France, and the city became the [[Prefectures in France|chef-lieu]] of the [[Dyle (department)|department of the Dyle]].{{sfn|Oudiette|1804|page=XIII}}{{sfn|Duvergier|1835|p=300}} The French rule ended in 1815, with the defeat of [[Napoleon]] on the [[Battle of Waterloo|battlefield of Waterloo]], located south of today's Brussels-Capital Region.{{sfn|Galloy|Hayt|2006|p=86–90}} With the [[Congress of Vienna]], the Southern Netherlands joined the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]], under King [[William I of the Netherlands|William I of Orange]]. The former Dyle department became the province of [[Province of Brabant#United Kingdom of the Netherlands|South Brabant]], with Brussels as its capital.

===Late modern===
[[File:Wappers - Episodes from September Days 1830 on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville in Brussels.JPG|thumb|left|''Episode of the [[Belgian Revolution]] of 1830'', [[Gustaf Wappers]], 1834]]

In 1830, the [[Belgian Revolution]] began in Brussels, after a performance of [[Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber|Auber's]] opera ''[[La Muette de Portici]]'' at the [[La Monnaie|Royal Theatre of La Monnaie]].{{sfn|Slatin|1979|p=53–54}} The city became the capital and seat of government of the new nation. South Brabant was renamed simply [[Province of Brabant|Brabant]], with Brussels as its administrative centre. On 21 July 1831, [[Leopold I of Belgium|Leopold I]], the first [[King of the Belgians]], ascended the throne,{{sfn|Pirenne|1948|p=30}} undertaking the destruction of the city walls and the construction of many buildings.{{sfn|Demey|2009|p=96}}

Following independence, Brussels underwent many more changes. It became a financial centre, thanks to the dozens of companies launched by the ''[[Société Générale de Belgique]]''. The [[Industrial Revolution]] and the opening of the [[Brussels–Charleroi Canal]] in 1832 brought prosperity to the city through commerce and manufacturing.{{sfn|Charruadas|2005}}{{sfn|Demey|2009|p=96–97}} The [[Free University of Brussels (1834–1969)|Free University of Brussels]] was established in 1834 and [[Saint-Louis University, Brussels|Saint-Louis University]] in 1858. In 1835, the [[History of rail transport in Belgium|first passenger railway]] built outside England linked the municipality of [[Molenbeek-Saint-Jean]] with [[Mechelen]].{{sfn|Wolmar|2010|p=18–20}}

[[File:Bruxelles, Place Royale, -Brussels, Belgium--LCCN2001697909.jpg|thumb|The [[Place Royale, Brussels|Place Royale/Koningsplein]] in the late 19th century]]

During the 19th century, the population of Brussels grew considerably; from about 80,000 to more than 625,000 people for the city and its surroundings. The Senne had become a serious [[health hazard]], and from 1867 to 1871, under the tenure of the [[mayor of the City of Brussels|city's then-mayor]], [[Jules Anspach]], its entire course through the urban area was [[covering of the Senne|completely covered over]].{{sfn|Demey|1990|p=65}} This allowed [[urban renewal]] and the construction of modern buildings of ''[[Haussmann's renovation of Paris|Haussmann]]-esque'' style along grand [[Central Boulevards of Brussels|central boulevards]], characteristic of downtown Brussels today.{{sfn|Eggericx|1997|p=5}} Buildings such as the [[Brussels Stock Exchange]] (1873), the [[Palais de Justice, Brussels|Palace of Justice]] (1883) and [[Saint Mary's Royal Church]] (1885) date from this period. This development continued throughout the reign of King [[Leopold II of Belgium|Leopold II]]. The [[Brussels International Exposition (1897)|International Exposition of 1897]] contributed to the promotion of the infrastructure.{{sfn|Schroeder-Gudehus|Rasmussen|1992}} Among other things, the [[Africa Palace|Palace of the Colonies]], today's [[Royal Museum for Central Africa]], in the suburb of [[Tervuren]], was connected to the capital by the construction of an [[Avenue de Tervueren|{{convert|11|km|mi|adj=mid|abbr=on|-long}} grand alley]].

Brussels became one of the major European cities for the development of the [[Art Nouveau in Brussels|Art Nouveau]] style in the 1890s and early 1900s.{{sfn|Culot|Pirlot|2005}} The architects [[Victor Horta]], [[Paul Hankar]], and [[Henry van de Velde]], among others, were known for their designs, many of which survive today.<ref name=":6" />

===20th century===
[[File:Solvay conference 1927.jpg|thumb|left|The 1927 [[Solvay Conference]] in Brussels was the fifth world physics conference.]]

During the 20th century, the city hosted various fairs and conferences, including the [[Solvay Conference]] on Physics and on Chemistry, and three [[world's fair]]s: the [[Brussels International Exposition (1910)|Brussels International Exposition of 1910]], the [[Brussels International Exposition of 1935]] and the 1958 Brussels World's Fair ([[Expo 58]]).{{sfn|Schroeder-Gudehus|Rasmussen|1992}} During [[World War I]], Brussels was an [[German occupation of Belgium during World War I|occupied]] city, but German troops did not cause much damage. During [[World War II]], it was again [[German occupation of Belgium during World War II|occupied by German forces]], and spared major damage, before it was liberated by the British [[Guards Armoured Division]] on 3 September 1944. [[Brussels Airport]], in the suburb of [[Zaventem]], dates from the occupation.

[[File:Scenes of jubilation as British troops liberate Brussels, 4 September 1944. BU508.jpg|thumb|British tanks [[Liberation of Belgium|arrive in Brussels]] on 4 September 1944, ending the [[German occupation of Belgium during World War II|German occupation]]]]

After World War II, Brussels underwent extensive modernisation. The construction of the [[North–South connection]], linking the main railway stations in the city, was completed in 1952, while the first ''[[Brussels premetro|premetro]]'' (underground tram) service was launched in 1969,<ref name="1960s">{{cite web|year=2013|title=STIB – La STIB de 1960 à 1969|trans-title=STIB – STIB from 1960 to 1969|url=http://www.stib.be/1960-1969.html?l=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221053137/http://www.stib.be/1960-1969.html?l=fr|archive-date=2013-12-21|access-date=2013-09-15|publisher=STIB|language=fr}}</ref> and the first [[Brussels Metro|Metro]] line was opened in 1976.<ref name="1970s">{{cite web|year=2013|title=STIB – Historique de la STIB de 1970 à 1979|trans-title=STIB – History of STIB from 1970 to 1979|url=http://www.stib.be/1970-1979.html?l=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021155415/http://www.stib.be/1970-1979.html?l=fr|archive-date=2013-10-21|access-date=2013-09-15|publisher=STIB|language=fr}}</ref> Starting from the early 1960s, Brussels became the ''de facto'' capital of what would become the [[European Union]] (EU), and many modern offices were built. Development was allowed to proceed with little regard to the aesthetics of newer buildings, and numerous architectural landmarks were demolished to make way for newer buildings that often clashed with their surroundings, giving name to the process of [[Brusselisation]].{{sfn|State|2004|p=51–52}}{{sfn|Stubbs|Makaš|2011|p=121}}

===Contemporary===
The Brussels-Capital Region was formed on 18 June 1989, after a constitutional reform in 1988.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2012-02-01|title=The Brussels-Capital Region|work=Belgium.be|url=https://www.belgium.be/en/about_belgium/government/regions/brussels_capital_region|access-date=2018-11-24|archive-date=24 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124220302/https://www.belgium.be/en/about_belgium/government/regions/brussels_capital_region|url-status=live}}</ref> It is one of the three [[federal regions of Belgium]], along with [[Flanders]] and [[Wallonia]], and has bilingual status.<ref name="Belgian Constitution" /><ref name="CIRB-creation" /> The [[yellow iris]] is the emblem of the region (referring to the presence of these flowers on the city's original site) and a stylised version is featured on its official flag.<ref>{{cite web|title=LOI – WET|url=http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&nm=1991031159&table_name=titre|access-date=22 April 2017|website=ejustice.just.fgov.be|language=fr|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301122421/http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&nm=1991031159&table_name=titre|url-status=live}}</ref>

In recent years, Brussels has become an important venue for international events. In 2000, it was named [[European Capital of Culture]] alongside eight other European cities.<ref>{{cite web|date=17 August 2011|title=Association of European Cities of Culture of the Year 2000|url=http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat_en/international_organisations/8370,artykul,association_of_european_cities_of_culture_of_the_year_2000.html|access-date=24 February 2017|website=Krakow the Open City|archive-date=7 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107104000/http://www.krakow.pl/otwarty_na_swiat_en/international_organisations/8370,artykul,association_of_european_cities_of_culture_of_the_year_2000.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, the city was the site of the [[Brussels Agreement (2013)|Brussels Agreement]].<ref>{{cite web|last=srbija.gov.rs|title=Brussels Agreement|url=https://www.srbija.gov.rs/specijal/en/120394|access-date=2021-07-15|website=srbija.gov.rs|archive-date=15 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210715172858/https://www.srbija.gov.rs/specijal/en/120394|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, it hosted the [[40th G7 summit]],<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Brussels G7 summit, Brussels, 04-05/06/2014 – Consilium|url=http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2014/06/04-05/|access-date=6 February 2017|website=European Council|archive-date=7 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113117/http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2014/06/04-05/|url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2017, 2018 and 2021 respectively the [[2017 Brussels summit|28th]], [[2018 Brussels summit|29th]] and [[2021 Brussels summit|31st NATO Summits]].<ref>{{cite web|title=NATO Summit 2017|url=https://www.state.gov/p/eur/rt/nato/summit2017/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525125949/https://www.state.gov/p/eur/rt/nato/summit2017/index.htm|archive-date=25 May 2017|access-date=27 July 2017|website=state.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/ic/natohq/news_147856.htm|title=NATO Secretary General announces dates for 2018 Brussels Summit|date=20 October 2017|website=nato.int|access-date=13 October 2021|archive-date=11 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511205459/https://www.nato.int/cps/ic/natohq/news_147856.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/cps/ic/natohq/news_183196.htm|title=NATO Secretary General announces date of the 2021 Brussels Summit|date=22 April 2021|website=nato.int|access-date=29 April 2021|archive-date=29 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429060646/https://www.nato.int/cps/ic/natohq/news_183196.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[2016 Brussels bombings|On 22 March 2016]], three coordinated [[nail bomb]]ings were detonated by [[ISIL]] in Brussels—two at [[Brussels Airport]] in [[Zaventem]] and one at [[Maalbeek/Maelbeek metro station]]—resulting in 32 victims and three [[suicide bombers]] killed, and 330 people were injured. It was the deadliest act of [[terrorism]] in Belgium.<ref name="independent">{{cite news|last1=Dearden|first1=Lizzie|title=Brussels attacks timeline: How bombings unfolded at airport and Metro station|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/brussels-attacks-timeline-how-bombings-unfolded-at-airport-and-metro-station-a6945781.html|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/brussels-attacks-timeline-how-bombings-unfolded-at-airport-and-metro-station-a6945781.html|archive-date=1 May 2022|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|access-date=22 March 2016|newspaper=The Independent|date=22 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC35869985">{{cite news|title=Brussels explosions: What we know about airport and metro attacks|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35869985|publisher=BBC News|date=9 April 2016|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=2 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602225244/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35869985|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BBC35880119>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35880119|title=Victims of the Brussels attacks|date=15 April 2016|publisher=BBC News|access-date=12 March 2023|archive-date=12 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312131723/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35880119|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Guardian220317>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/22/brussels-unveil-terror-victims-memorial-one-year-after-attacks|title=Brussels attacks: 'Let us dare to be tender,' says king on first anniversary|work=The Guardian|date=22 March 2017|access-date=10 March 2023|archive-date=10 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310120735/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/22/brussels-unveil-terror-victims-memorial-one-year-after-attacks|url-status=live}}</ref>