Belgium's short History 

Before 50 BC
Celtic tribes settle in the territory that is now Belgium.

Approx. 50 BC
Belgium comes under Roman rule.

From 375
The Franks migrate from the Lower Rhine area to today's Flanders region. For this reason the Romance influence remains stronger in Wallonia to this day.

From 890
Dissolution of the Carolingian Empire, division of the region into several counties, duchies, bishoprics and monastic estates; for a short time, Belgium is a part of Lorraine

12th to 14th century
Economic and political prospering of the Flemish cities (cloth production)

14th to 15th century
The fragmentation is stopped by the Dukes of Burgundy, who temporarily become independent intermediaries between France and Germany.

1477
As a result of the marriage of the Burgundian Crown Princess Maria and Emperor Maximilian I, the greater part of today’s Belgium comes into the possession of the Habsburgs.

1555
Legacy of Charles V divided and Belgium transferred to the Spanish crown

1714
After the Spanish War of Succession, the territory of today’s Belgium falls to Austria.

1795
Annexation by France

1815
Belgium is annexed to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

1830
Belgium becomes an independent kingdom for the first time (Saxe-Coburg-Gotha dynasty).

1831
The first Belgian King, Leopold I, is sworn in (rules until 1865).

1865
Leopold II (rules until 1909) creates the Belgian colonial empire.

From 1881
Establishment of a (royal) colony in the Congo

1908
The Belgian Congo is transferred to the Belgian state.

1909
Albert I (until 1934) gains high respect in World War I.

1919
Under the Treaty of Versailles, Belgium is given the regions of Eupen and Malmédy and assumes protectorship of Rwanda and Burundi (mandated territories).

1934
Succession of Leopold III (until 1951); the King does not go into exile in 1940, and is deported to Germany in 1944, returning only in 1950

1940-44
Belgium is occupied by German troops.

1949
Belgium becomes a (founding) member of NATO.

1950/51
Return of the King and abdication in favour of Baudouin I

1957
Belgium signs the Treaties of Rome (establishment of the EEC).

1960
The Congo is granted independence.

1962
Rwanda and Burundi gain independence.

1993
Albert II ascends the throne.

1994
Following constitutional reforms, Belgium becomes a federal state.