2013 Event Syria's chemical weapons arsenal requires an eradication site; Belgium rejected being a candidate for the destruction, suggesting the stockpile should be destroyed close to Syria 2013 Event Winners of the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics include theoretical physicists Francois Englert of Belgium and Peter Higgs of Britain 2013 Event In Belgium, King Albert II abdicates his throne to son, Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant, due to health reasons 2013 Event Three months after $50 million in diamonds is stolen at the Brussels Airport, more than 24 people in France, Switzerland and Belgium were detained, and a significant stash of the diamonds and stash recovered 2013 Event At Belgium's Brussels Airport, armed robbers steal untraceable, raw diamonds worth $50 million from a plane within minutes, and without alarming passengers 2012 Event Several European countries protest against unemployment and austerity measures; Spain and Portugal hold the largest protests, with Greece, Italy and Belgium holding smaller ones 2012 Event Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt and the MEP for Belgium voice concerns that the Flemish N-VA party and the far right are 'the same'; N-VA responds by saying their criticism is 'gratuitous' 2011 Event Belgium's new federal government is sworn in after a historically long 541 days of negotiations 2011 Event In Belgium, Parti Socialiste leader Elio di Rupo is set to become Prime Minister, pending approval by the parties' conventions and definition of the cabinet makeup 2008 Birthday Princess Eleonore of Belgium, born in Anderlecht, Belgium 1998 Event Bill Gates gets a pie thrown in his face in Brussels Belgium 1998 Event Thick Fog causes highway carnage in Belgium and Netherlands, 6 die 1995 Event Belgium ends military conscript 1995 Event Belgium's TV channel VT4 goes on the air 1995 Event Belgium's TV channel 2 in Flanders goes on the air 1994 Event Freddy Thielemans sworn in as mayor of Brussels Belgium 1994 Death Leon Degrelle, Belgium general, dies 1993 Event King Albert II of Belgium, crowned 1993 Death Baudouin, king of Belgium (1951-93), dies at 62 from heart problems 1992 Event 1st Belgium in the space, Dirk Frimout on Atlantis Space Shuttle STS-45 (Atlantis 11) launches into space 1991 Event Belgium census is 10,000,963 inhabitants 1991 Death Jean Van Joutte, Prime Minister of Belgium 1952 - 1954, dies 1989 Event Mausoleum of Beatrice of Brabant (1288) discovered in Kortrijk Belgium 1989 Event Unmanned Russian Mig-23 crashes in Bellegem-Kooigem, Belgium (1 dies) 1988 Event 17% vote extremely-right Flemish Block in Belgium 1988 Event Belgium: 8th government of Martens forms 1988 Event Last East Limburg coal mine closes in Gent Belgium 1988 Death Gaston Eyskens, Prime Minister of Belgium 1949, 1958 - 1961, 1968 - 1972, dies at 82 1987 Event Belgium Christian Democrats (CVP) loses parliamentary election 1987 Event 7th Belgium government of Martens forms 1987 Event 6th Belgium government of Martens falls 1987 Event Smoking forbidden in public buildings in Belgium 1987 Event Belgium ferry boat "Herald of Free Enterprise" capsizes/sinks; 192 die 1986 Event Former Belgium premier Vanden Boeynants sentenced for fraud 1986 Event 20,000 mine workers protest closing of Hasselt Belgium mines 1986 Event Haemers gang robs gold transport in Belgium of 35 million BF 1986 Birthday Amedeo, Belgium, son of princess Astrid/arch duke Lorenz 1985 Event 6th Belgium government of Martens forms 1985 Event Surprise attack on Belgium supermarket in Aalst, 8 killed 1985 Event Belgium premier Martens CVP wins parliamentary election 1985 Event Pope John Paul II arrives in Belgium 1985 Death Singing Nun, commits suicide in Belgium at 52 1983 Event Jose Happart installed as mayor of Voeren Belgium 1983 Death Leopold III, king of Belgium (1934-51), dies 1983 Birthday Kim Clijsters, born in Bilzen, Belgium, professional tennis player, ranked number one in the World for singles and doubles, winner of 36 WTA singles and 11 WTA doubles titles 1983 Death Charles von Saksen-Coburg-Gotha, Belgium prince, buried 1983 Event Belgium buys 44 F-16s 1983 Event Jose Happart becomes mayor of Voeren Belgium 1982 Event National railroad strike in Belgium 1982 Death Max Winders Maximilien, brought Belgium gold reserve to England, dies 1982 Event Train crash at Aalter Belgium, 5 killed 1981 Event Belgium's 5th government of Martens forms 1981 Event Christian Democrats looses Belgium parliamentary election 1981 Event Bomb attack on Antwerp Belgium synagogue, 1 dead, 80 injured 1981 Event Belgium Eyskens government forms 1981 Event Belgium's 4th government of Martens resigns 1980 Event 4th government of Martens forms in Belgium 1980 Event Belgium 3rd government of Martens resigns 1980 Event West German wins European soccer title (2-1 against Belgium) 1980 Event Belgium 3rd government of Martens forms 1980 Event Belgium's Marten's government resigns 1980 Event Flemish/Walloon battles in Belgium, 40 injured 1980 Event Head of narcotic brigade arrested for drug smuggling in Belgium 1979 Event Failed attack on NATO commander Haig in Obourg, Belgium 1979 Event Failed Palestinian attack on Zaventem Airport in Belgium 1979 Event Belgium's Martens government forms 1978 Event Paul Vanden Boeynants forms Belgium government 1978 Event Belgium government of Tindemans resigns 1978 Birthday Laurence Borremans, Miss Belgium Universe 1997 1977 Event Belgium government of Tindemans forms 1977 Event Christian-democrats win Belgium parliamentary election 1977 Event Netherlands/Belgium/Luxembourg adopt summer time 1977 Event Zaire president Mobutu visits Belgium 1977 Event Belgium reapportions 2,359 communities into 596 1976 Birthday Nancy Feber, Antwerp Belgium, tennis star 1976 Birthday Nancy Feber, Antwerp Belgium, tennis star, 1995 Puerto Rico 1976 Event Belgium catholic elite start amnesty campaign for war criminals 1975 Birthday Johnny Galecki, born in Bree, Belgium, actor, American Dreamer, David-Roseanne 1974 Event Leo Tindemans forms Belgium government 1974 Event Christian Democrats win Belgium parliamentary election 1974 Birthday Stephanie Rottier, St. Niklaas Belgium, tennis star, 1995 semi Prague 1974 Event Belgium government of Leburton falls 1973 Death Theo Lefevre, premier Belgium, dies 1973 Birthday Ingrid Seynhaeve, born in Brussels, Belgium, model, Look of the Year 1991 1973 Birthday Maria Jose Gaidano, Buenos Aires, Argentina, tennis star, 1993 Belgium doubles 1973 Birthday Dominique Monami, Verviers Belgium, tennis star 1973 Event Harbor strike in Gent/Antwerp, Belgium 1973 Event Belgium government of Leburton forms 1972 Event Belgium recognizes East Germany 1972 Birthday Brian Molko, born in Brussels, Belgium, songwriter, guitarist, member of band Placebo, lead vocalist, known for androgynous appearance 1972 Event Belgium government of Eyskens resigns 1972 Event Eddy Merckx (Belgium) covers 30 miles, 1,258 yards in 1 hour 1972 Birthday Tom van Mol, born in Dendermonde, Belgium, professional soccer player, played for PSV, Sparta, KFC Lommel, FC Utrecht 1972 Event Chemical spill with fog sickens hundreds in Meuse Valley Belgium 1972 Event Eddy Merckx (Belgium) wins his 4th consecutive Tour de France 1972 Birthday Nathalie Baudone, born in Rocurt, Belgium, tennis star, 3rd round 1995 U.S. Open 1972 Birthday Jan Benda, Reet Belgium, hockey forward, Team Germany 1998 1972 Birthday Filip Dewulf, born in Mol, Belgium, professional tennis player, won two ATP Tour singles titles, one doubles titles 1972 Event Belgium government of Eyskens-Cools forms 1971 Event Belgium and China establish diplomatic relations 1971 Event Eyskens-Cools disbands Belgium parliament 1970 Birthday Els Callens, Antwerp Belgium, tennis star, 1996 quarterfinalist Essen 1969 Event Congo president Mobutu visits Belgium 1969 Birthday Florence Descampe, Brussels Belgium, LPGA golfer, 1992 McCall 1969 Birthday Florence Descampe, born in Brussels, Belgium, LPGA golfer, 1992 McCall 1968 Death Ernest Claes, Belgium, author (The White), dies at 82 1968 Event Belgium government of Eyskens-Merlot forms 1968 Event Belgium government of Vanden Boeynants falls 1967 Event Liquid gas tanker explodes in Martelange Belgium, 22 killed 1967 Event Fire at L'Innovation department store kills 322 (Brussels, Belgium) 1966 Event Polio vaccination becomes obligatory in Belgium 1966 Event Belgium's Gaston Roelants runs 12-4/5 miles in 1 hour 1966 Event Drunk driver kills 10 children in Asse Belgium 1966 Event Belgium government of Vanden Boeynants begins 1966 Event Harmel government in Belgium resigns 1965 Event Belgium Victor Leemans elected chairman of European Parliament 1965 Event Pierre Harmel forms Belgium government 1965 Event Wallon party forms in Belgium 1964 Event Fire in Wegimond Belgium resort, kills 19 1964 Event 68th Boston Marathon won by Aurele Vandendriessche of Belgium in 2:19:59 1964 Event Artisans strike in Belgium ends 1964 Event Egypt and Belgium restore diplomatic relations 1963 Death Philibert Schmitz, Belgium, historian (Order of St. Benoat), dies at 75 1963 Event Language laws in Belgium goes into effect causing a riot 1963 Event 67th Boston Marathon won by Aurele Vandendriessche of Belgium in 2:18:58 1962 Death Andre Renard, Belgium worker's union leader (MSU), dies at 51 1962 Event Burundi and Rwanda gain independence from Belgium (National Days) 1962 Event Rwanda granted internal self-government by Belgium 1961 Event Belgium and Congo resume diplomatic relations 1961 Event Antwerp Belgium diocese forms 1961 Event 75,000 Flemings demand equal rights and Flemish language in Belgium 1961 Event Belgium sends troops to Rwanda-Urundi 1961 Event Omer Vanaudenhove chosen chairman of Belgium Liberal Party 1961 Event Belgium government of Eyskens resigns 1961 Birthday Mark Van Thillo, Wilrijk Belgium, co-captain, Biosphere 2 1960 Event King Boudouin of Belgium marries dona Fabiola de Mora y Aragon 1960 Event Ghana drops diplomatic relations with Belgium 1960 Event Belgium threatens to leave United Nations due to criticism on it's Congo-policy 1960 Event Belgium sends troops to Congo 1960 Event Zaire (formerly Belgian Congo) declares independence from Belgium 1960 Event Earthquake in NE Belgium 1960 Event Earthquake at Havre, Belgium 1959 Event Netherlands beats Belgium 9-1 1959 Event Belgium shortens conscription to 12 months 1958 Event Benelux treaty signed by Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg 1958 Event Belgium government of Eyskens and Lilar forms 1958 Birthday Jean-Claude Van Damme, Brussels Belgium, actor, Kickboxer, No Retreat 1958 Event CVP wins municipal elections in Belgium 1958 Event Gaston Eyskens becomes premier of Belgium 1958 Event Brussel's (Belgium) World Fair opens 1958 Death Josephine CMA, princess of Belgium/nun, dies at 85 1956 Event Fire and explosion kill 263 miners at Marcinelle, Belgium 1956 Death Albert MLA de Bassompierre, Belgium ambassador to Tokyo, dies at 82 1956 Event Mine disaster in Quaregnon Belgium, 8 die 1955 Event Belgium signs accord for 5 day work week (45 hours) 1955 Event Strike in Belgium for 5 day work week 1955 Event King Baudouin of Belgium visits Congo 1955 Event Fire in cinema to Sclessin Belgium, kills 39 1954 Event Belgium shortens military conscription from 20 to 18 months 1954 Birthday Ivo van Damme, Belgium, 800/1500m dash 1976 Olympics silver 1954 Event Belgium ends trade agreement with U.S.S.R. 1953 Event TV broadcasting begins in Belgium 1953 Event Coal mine in Seraing Belgium explodes, 26 die 1953 Birthday Guy Verhofstadt, born in Dendermonde, Belgium, politician, liberal, 47th Prime Minister of Belgium 1999 - 2008, member, European Parliament 1953 Event Gas explosion in Belgium coal mine kills 14 1952 Event General strike against overtime conscription in Belgium 1952 Event 2 mine cave-ins at Charleroi, Belgium 1951 Event King Leopold II of Belgium gives up throne to son Boudouin I 1951 Event King Leopold III, of Belgium, abdicates 1951 Event Belgium extends conscription to 24 months 1951 Event Belgium refuses to allow communists to make speeches on radio 1950 Event Death penality abolished in Belgium 1950 Event King Boudouin I takes oath as royal prince of Belgium 1950 Event King Leopold of Belgium abdicates, Baudouin becomes King 1950 Event King Leopold, after 6 years in exile, returns to Belgium 1950 Event Belgium mine disaster at Borinage, 39 die 1950 Event Belgium votes (58%) for return of King Leopold III 1950 Event Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands recognize Israel 1949 Event England, Belgium, Lux, Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland recognize Israel 1947 Event Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherland form Benelux Union 1945 Birthday Martine van Hamel, Brussels Belgium, ballerina, New York City Ballet Co 1945 Birthday Eddy Merckx, Belgium, cyclist, 5 time winner of Tour de France 1945 Event German forces in Belgium retreat in Battle of Bulge 1945 Birthday Jacques Ickx, Belgium, Le Mans auto race, 6-time winner 1944 Event Eisenhower and Montgomery meet in Hasselt Belgium 1944 Event Germans demand surrender of American troops at Bastogne, Belgium 1944 Event Battle of Bulge begins in Belgium 1944 Event SS-general Kurt Meyer takes Durnal Belgium 1944 Event Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands sign unity treaty 1944 Event Belgium's Emissie bank closes 1944 Event U.S. leaders meet in Belgium 1944 Birthday Patrick Sercu, born in Belgium, 1K time trial 1964 Olympic gold 1944 Event Belgium resistance fighter/author Kamiel van Baelen arrested 1943 Event Obligatory work for woman ends in Belgium 1942 Event Free-Poland and Belgium asks pope to condemn nazi-war crimes 1942 Event 999 Jews are taken from Mechelen transit camp in Belgium 1942 Event 1st train with Jews departs Mechelen Belgium to Auschwitz 1942 Event Belgium Jews are required by Nazis to wear a Jewish star 1942 Event Belgium Jews are forced to wear stars 1941 Event King Leopold of Belgium marries Lilian Baels 1941 Event Belgium King Leopold secretly marries Lilian Baels 1941 Birthday Jaime Laredo, born in Bolivia, violinist, Qn Elisabeth of Belgium prize 1959 1941 Birthday Dirk D. Frimout, born in Belgium, cosmonaut 1940 Birthday Jose Van Dam, Brussels Belgium, bass-baritone, Francois d'Assisif 1940 Event In WW II, Germans capture Ostend and Ypres in Belgium and Lille in France 1940 Event Belgium surrenders to Germany, King Leopold III gives himself up 1940 Event Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium and begins invasion of France 1940 Event Nazi armies attack Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg 1940 Event Netherlands beats Belgium 4-2 in soccer 1940 Event 2 German officers make emergency landing in Belgium 1939 Event Netherlands and Belgium declare neutrality 1939 Event Belgium mobilizes 1939 Event Belgium Sylvere Maes wins 33rd Tour de France 1939 Birthday Liz Claiborne, Brussels Belgium, fashion designer, women 1939 Death Henri Jaspar, premier of Belgium (1926-31), dies at 68 1938 Event Earthquake in Belgium 1938 Event Paul-Henri Spak forms red coalition of Belgium 1937 Birthday Paola Ruffo di Calabria, Italian princess/queen of Belgium, 1993- 1937 Birthday Gaston Roelants, Belgium, world cross-country champion 1936 Event 1st government of Zealand in Belgium ends 1936 Birthday Wilfried Martens, premier, Belgium, 1979-81, 1981-92 1936 Event Belgium ends Locarno-pact 1935 Death Astrid S L T Bernadotte, Queen of Belgium/Princess of Sweden, dies 1935 Event Belgium's Romain Maes, wins Tour de France 1935 Event Belgium recognizes Soviet Union 1935 Event 1st Belgium government of Van Zealand resigns 1934 Birthday Albert II FHTCEM, king of Belgium, 1993- 1934 Event Bank of Travail in Belgium, socialist worker's movement bankrupt 1934 Event Netherlands beats Belgium 9-3, in soccer 1934 Event Coronation of King Leopold III of Belgium 1934 Death Albert I LCMM von Saksen-Coburg, king of Belgium (1909-34), dies at 58 1933 Birthday Monique van Vooren, born in Belgium, actress, Andy Warhol's Frankenstein 1932 Event Charles de Broqueville becomes premier of Belgium 1932 Event Belgium government of Renkin falls 1932 Event Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands sign Unity treaty 1931 Event Jules Renkin becomes premier of Belgium 1930 Event Air-borne chemicals combine with fog to kill 60 (Meuse Valley Belgium) 1930 Birthday Baudouin I, king of Belgium, 1951-93 1930 Event Child labor laws established in Belgium 1930 Event Building begins on Albert Canal in Belgium 1930 Birthday Roger Moens, born in Belgium, 800m runner 1960 Olympics silver 1930 Event Belgium Princess Marie-Jose marries Italian's crown prince Umberto 1929 Event Belgium government Jaspar falls 1929 Event Belgium princess Marie-Jose and Italian crown prince Umberto gets engaged, assassination attempt on Umberto fails 1929 Event Belgium Maurice Dewaele wins Tour de France 1929 Birthday Henri Pousseur, born in Malmedy, Belgium, composer, Homo Habitis 1929 Death Edmond Thieffry, Belgium, WW I pilot, dies at 36 1929 Birthday Jacques Brel, Belgium, singer and actor 1929 Birthday Ulu Grosbard, Belgium, actor, Straight Time, Georgia, Falling in Love 1928 Event Leon Vanderstuyft of Belgium bicycled 76 miles 504 yards in 1 hour 1928 Event Leon Vanderstuyft of Belgium cycles record 76 miles 604 yards in 1 hour 1928 Birthday Fabiola de Mora y Aragon, Spanish Queen of Belgium 1928 Birthday Brooklyn Supreme, born in Belgium, stallion, heaviest known horse, 1450 kg 1928 Event Netherlands and Belgium tie 1-1 (soccer match in Amsterdam) 1927 Birthday Andre Cools, Belgium, minister of Budget/vice-premier 1927 Event Belgium beats England 9-1 in soccer 1927 Event Netherlands beats Belgium 3-2 in soccer match in Amsterdam 1926 Event Belgium crown prince Leopold weds princess Astrid Bernadotte of Sweden 1926 Event Belgium stabilizes current value of franc (5 franc becomes 1 "Belga") 1926 Birthday Pierre "Peyo" Culliford, Brussels Belgium, cartoonist, Smurfs 1926 Birthday Andre Delvaux, born in Heverie, Belgium, director and writer, Benvenuta 1926 Event Belgium's "black monday," franc falls 1926 Event Pope Pius XI names J E van Roey archbishop of Malines Belgium 1925 Event 6th Iron pilgrim at Diksmuide Belgium 1925 Birthday Pierre Baugniet, Belgium, pairs ice skater 1948 Olympics gold 1925 Birthday Micheline Lannoy, Belgium, figure skating pairs 1948 Olympics gold 1925 Event Netherlands and Belgium sign accord of Westerschelde 1924 Event General Christian Worker's union demands 8 hour work day in Belgium 1924 Event Flemish-Walloon riots in Louvain Belgium, 1 dead 1924 Event 3rd term of Belgium Theunis government begins 1924 Death Louise MA, princess of Belgium, dies at 66 1924 Event Belgium's Theunis government falls 1923 Event Radio Belgium's 1st transmission 1923 Event League of Nations gives Belgium mandate of Ruanda-Urundi (was German) 1923 Event Belgium's Theunis government falls because of mine, post and railroad strike 1923 Event Belgium: Borinage-mine workers strike for higher wages 1921 Event Belgium's public library law goes into force 1921 Event KPB, Communist Party of Belgium forms 1921 Birthday Jacques Vander Schueren, Belgium, minister of Economic Affairs 1921 Event New rules of language assumed, equal rights Flemings/Walen Belgium 1921 Event Belgium's Leon Scieur wins Tour de France 1921 Event 1st municipal elections for men and women in Belgium 1920 Death Gerard Leman, Belgian general, war hero, provided King Albert I of Belgium with his military education, commander of the forts surrounding Liege in World War One, captured as a prisoner of War by the Germans and released at the end of the War, dies 1920 Event Belgium annexes Eupen/Malmedy 1920 Event 7th Olympic games close in Antwerp Belgium 1920 Event Belgium starts paying old age pensions 1920 Event 7th modern Olympic games opens in Antwerp Belgium 1919 Birthday Anne Cox Chambers, Dayton Ohio, U.S. ambassador to Belgium, 1977-81 1919 Birthday Paul Vanden Boeynants, premier Belgium, 1966-68, 1978-79 1919 Death Karl von Hohenzollern, Prince of Belgium, dies 1918 Event 2 German ammunition trains explode in Hamont Belgium, 1,750 die 1917 Event British troops attack canal of Ypres in Boesinghe Belgium 1917 Death Moritz F Freiherr von Bissing, Governor-General of Belgium (1914-17), dies at 73 1917 Death Jules HPFX Vandenpeereboom, premier of Belgium (1899), dies at 73 1917 Event Belgium Council of Flanders established 1916 Event British offensive at Ancre Belgium 1916 Event Allies attack Zeebrugge Belgium 1915 Death Edith L Cavell, British nurse, executed by Germans in Belgium (WW II) 1915 Event British expedition Army in Belgium captures Neuve Chapelle 1914 Event Ypres Belgium burned by German bombing 1914 Event Allied offensive at Ypres (Belgium) begins 1914 Event German forces route Belgians in Antwerp Belgium (WW I) 1914 Event German forces move into Antwerp Belgium (WW I) 1914 Event Gr Britain/France/Belgium/Russia sign pact of London 1914 Event Belgium: German army begins 6 week plundering of Leuven Belgium 1914 Event German Zeppelins bomb Antwerp Belgium, 10 die 1914 Event German troops occupy Namur Belgium 1914 Event German troops plunder Belgium 1914 Event General von Hausen executes 612 inhabitants of Dinant Belgium 1914 Event 1st encounter between British and German troops (in Belgium) 1914 Event German troops execute 384 inhabitants of Tamines Belgium 1914 Event Belgium: German troops occupy Tamines 1914 Event Dinant Belgium destroyed by German bombs 1914 Event Cavalery battle at Halen, Belgium ("Battle der Zilveren Helmen") 1914 Event French government awards king Albert of Belgium the Great Cross 1914 Event German army occupies city of Liege Belgium 1914 Event French cavalry enter Belgium 1914 Event Westerschelde leaves due to German invasion in Belgium 1914 Event Germany declares war on Belgium; Britain declares war on Germany 1914 Event Belgium rejects demand to allow free crossing for German army 1914 Event Germany invades Belgium and declares war on France in WW I 1914 Event German chief of staff/General von Moltke states ultimatum on Belgium 1914 Birthday Roger Aubert, Belgium, church historian, Le Pontificat de Pie IX 1913 Event Belgium begins general strike for voting rights 1912 Birthday Louis Boon, born in Aalst, Belgium, born Lodewijk Paul Aalbrecht Boon, writer, journalist, novelist, wrote historical novels, modernist work Vergeten straat 1911 Event Belgium government of De Broqueville forms 1911 Event Belgium government of Schollaert falls 1910 Birthday Jean Servais, Angers Belgium, actor, Every Man is My Enemy 1910 Birthday Dominique Pire, Belgium, educator, aided WW II refugees, Nobel 1958 1910 Birthday Django Reinhardt, Belgium, Gypsy jazz guitarist 1909 Event Leopold II, king of Belgium, buried in Brussels 1909 Death Leopold II, king of Belgium, dies 1909 Event Etten-Leur 1st airplane flight in Netherlands (Belgium count De Lambert) 1909 Event Netherlands begins unity with Belgium 1908 Birthday Claude Levi-Strauss, Belgium, social anthropologist, Structure Anthro 1908 Event King Leopold II sells Congo to Belgium 1908 Event Belgium annexes Congo Free State 1908 Event Miss Pottelsberghe de la Pottery is 1st airplane passenger (Belgium) 1908 Event Belgium Catholic socialist/liberal parliamentary election 1908 Event Frans Schollaert succeeds De Trooz as premier of Belgium 1907 Death Jules de Trooz, Belgium PM, dies at 63 1907 Event Belgium Jules baron de Trooz forms Belgian government 1907 Event Belgium government of De Trooz forms 1907 Event Belgium government of De Stain de Naeyer, resigns 1907 Birthday Jan M J van Houtte, premier Belgium, 1952-54 1906 Birthday Charles Janssens, Belgium, actor, Mira, Malpertuis 1905 Birthday Astrid SLT Bernadotte, Queen of Belgium/Princess of Sweden 1905 Event 2nd official International soccer match, Netherlands beats Belgium 4-0 1905 Birthday Jef Maes, born in Antwerp, Belgium, composer, lecturer, worked for the Knokke orchestra, studied with Albert van de Vijver, Karel Candaeil, and Napoleon Distelmans 1905 Birthday Gaston Eyskens, Prime Minister of Belgium, 1949, 1958 - 1961, 1968 - 1972 1904 Birthday Leo Joseph Suenens, Cardinal, Belgium 1904 Event Bell Telephone Company of Antwerp Belgium forms 1903 Birthday Flor Peeters, Antwerp Belgium, organist/composer, Lied Symphony 1903 Birthday Georges Simenon, Belgium, mystery writer, Snow Was Black 1902 Event Leopold II, King of Belgium almost assassinated by Italian anarchist 1902 Birthday Jean Rey, Belgium, President of European Commission, 1967-70 1901 Event Belgium's Louise of den Plas begins activities towards women rights 1901 Event 1st soccer game between Belgium (8) and Netherlands (0) 1900 Birthday Leon Barzin, Brussels Belgium, conductor, New York City Ballet 1948-58 1900 Event Belgium crown prince Albert von Saksen-Coburg weds Elisabeth of Bayern 1900 Birthday Jean Duvieusart, premier, Belgium 1950 1899 Event Belgium government of Vandenpeereboom forms 1899 Birthday Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgium, premier/Secretary-General of NATO, 1957-61 1898 Birthday Albert Claude, Belgium, biologist/physician, Nobel 1974 1898 Birthday Andre-Marie Charue, bishop of Namen Belgium 1896 Event Jules Vandenpeereboom becomes Belgium's minister of War 1895 Event Belgium begins compulsory Roman Catholic education 1894 Event Roman Catholics win Parliamentary election in Belgium 1894 Event Belgium Princess Josephine marries Prince Karl von Hohenzollern 1894 Birthday Florimond Cornellie, Belgium, yachting, Gold Medal 1920 Olympics 1891 Death Boudouin LPMCAJL, prince of Belgium/count of Flaanders, dies at 21 1890 Event King Leopold II gives Congo to Belgium 1889 Event Belgium rules on women/child labor law 1888 Event Belgium: king Leopold II installs Order of African Star 1888 Event World's 1st beauty contest (Spa Belgium) 1888 Birthday Philibert Schmitz, Belgium, historian, Ordre the St-Benoat 1888 Event 1st beauty contest (Spa, Belgium), 18 yr old West Indian wins 1888 Birthday Victor Francen, Belgium, actor, J'Acusse, San Antonio 1887 Birthday Oscar Bossaert, Belgium, chocolate manufacturer/Minister of Middenstand 1885 Birthday Henry de Man, Belgium, sociologist/chairman, Belgian Workers Party 1885 Event Congo Free State forms by King Leopold II of Belgium 1885 Event Congress of Berlin, gives Congo to Belgium and Nigeria to England 1884 Birthday Julius P. Hoste, Belgium minister/daily newspaper publisher, Last News 1882 Birthday Max [G M J] Winders Maximilien, Belgium, architect, WW II 1876 Birthday Baron Joseph van de Meulebroeck, mayor, Brussels, Belgium 1876 Birthday Gabriella V M Elisabeth, Queen of Belgium/duchess of Bavaria 1875 Birthday Albert I LCMM von Saksen-Coburg, king of Belgium, 1909-34 1872 Birthday Josephine CMA, princess of Belgium/nun 1872 Birthday Clementine, Princess of Belgium, wife of Prince Napoleon Bonaparte 1871 Event Belgium disbands salt tax 1870 Birthday Henri Jaspar, premier of Belgium, 1927-31 1869 Birthday Boudouin LPMCAJL, prince of Belgium/count of Vlaanderen 1865 Event Patrick Francis Healy is 1st black awarded PhD (Louvain Belgium) 1862 Birthday Henri Pirenne, Belgian historian, History of Belgium 1862 Birthday P M B Maurice Maeterlinck, Belgium, poet, Blue Bird, Nobel 1911 1861 Birthday Ursmer Berliere, Belgian historian, Monastican Belgium 1858 Birthday Eugene Ysaije, born in Belgium, violinist, conductor and composer, Pierill Houiou 1858 Birthday Louise M A, princess of Belgium 1857 Birthday Jules de Trooz, baron/premier of Belgium, 1907 1854 Birthday Georges Eekhoud, Belgian writer, Jeune Belgium 1854 Birthday Henri-Marie Lafontaine, born in Belgium, international lawyer, Nobel 1913 1851 Birthday Jan Blockx, Belgium, opera composer, Sea Bride princess of Herberg 1851 Birthday Gerard Leman, born in Liege, Belgium, Belgian general, war hero, provided King Albert I of Belgium with his military education, commander of the forts surrounding Liege in World War One, captured as a prisoner of War by the Germans and released at the end of the War 1850 Death Louisa Maria, queen of Belgium (1832-50)/wife of Leopold I, dies at 38 1846 Birthday Emile C Wauters, Belgium, painter, Van der Goes in the Red Monastery 1844 Birthday Moritz F Freiherr von Bissing, German gen/Governor-General of Belgium, 1914-17 1843 Birthday Jules HPFX Vandenpeereboom, premier of Belgium, 1899 1842 Event Belgium King Leopold I proclaims child labor laws (for 1889) 1841 Death Antoine PFGdV Celles, Belgium/Dutch/French MP, dies 1840 Birthday Charlotte MAAVCL, princess of Belgium/Emperor of Mexico, 1864-67 1840 Birthday Father Joseph Damien de Veuster, Belgium, helped lepers in Hawaii 1839 Event Treaty of London constitutes Belgium an independent kingdom and Luxembourg a Grand Duchy 1837 Birthday Philips, Count of Flanders Belgium 1834 Event Prussia, Austria and Russia sign classified accord about Belgium 1833 Event Netherlands and Belgium sign Treaty of Zonhoven 1832 Event French take Antwerp in liberation of Belgium 1832 Event King Leopold I of Belgium marries Louisa Maria 1831 Event Netherlands and Belgium sign peace treaty 1831 Event Ten day campaign begins, Dutch army occupies Belgium 1831 Event Belgium gains independence from Netherlands, Leopold I made king 1831 Event National Congress selects Leopold von Saksen-Coburg as King of Belgium 1831 Event Belgium adopts it's Constitution 1830 Event England, France, Prussia, Austria and Russia recognize Belgium 1830 Event Major-General Baron D Chasse bombs Antwerp (Belgium revolution) 1830 Event Provisional government declares secession of Belgium from Netherlands 1830 Event Belgium revolts against Netherlands 1820 Birthday Henri Vieuxtemps, Verviers Belgium, composer/teacher, Brussels Cons 1815 Event Willem I proclaimed king of the Netherlands, including Belgium 1814 Birthday Adolphe Sax, Belgium, musician/inventor, saxophone 1814 Event Peace negotiations begin in Ghent, Belgium 1814 Event Belgium King Willem I accept blame in Southern defeat 1806 Birthday Andre H C van Hasselt, Belgian poet, La Belgium 1804 Birthday Pierre F Verhulst, Belgium, mathematician, logistic curve 1804 Birthday Guillaume Nerenburger, Belgian general, Triangulatie of Belgium 1801 Birthday Joseph AF Plateau, Belgium, physicist, blinded - stared at Sun 25 seconds 1796 Birthday Adolphe Quetelet, born in Belgium, mathematician, astronomer, and statistician 1790 Event Statisten and Vonckisten unite as Belgium 1786 Event Montplaisir Ceramic factory opens in Schaarbeek Belgium 1779 Birthday Antoine PFGdV Celles, Belgium/Dutch/French MP 1747 Birthday Cornelis Stevens, Belgium, RC foreman/polemist, Le sophisme devoile 1728 Birthday Louis Barbiano de Belgioioso, Austrian count/diplomat in Belgium 1599 Birthday Anthony Van Dyck, Antwerp Belgium, painter 1584 Event Spanish army leader Richebourg conquerors Liefkenshoek, Belgium 1576 Event Spanish defeat Walloons and take Antwerp Belgium 1574 Event Sea battle at Lillo Belgium (Adolf Van Haemstede vs Louis de Boisot) 1567 Event Duke of Alva's army enters Brussels Belgium 1566 Event Iconoclasm reaches Antwerp Belgium 1549 Event Jews are expelled from Ghent Belgium 1514 Birthday Andreas Vesalius, Brussels Belgium, anatomist, Fabrica 1488 Event Roman catholic German emperor Maximilian I caught in Belgium 1472 Death Pieter Bladelin, Belgium, land owner (Middelburg castle), dies 1370 Event Jews are expelled/massacred from Brussels Belgium 1302 Event Battle of Kortrijk Belgium (France vs Flanders) 1302 Event Guldensporen battle of Belgium
