Editing Brussels (section)

===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}}