Traditions
Pre-19th Century history
Luxembourg was first established in 963 when Count Siegfried acquired the fortress of Lucilinburhuc from Saint Maximinius Abbey in Trier. It flourished as a Duchy in medieval Europe for nearly 500 years and the dynasty founded by Siegfried provided some of the leading figures of the German empire in the 14th century. It fell under Burgundian domination in 1443, becoming part of the Burgundian, Spanish (XVI + XVII century) and Austrian Netherlands (XVIII c.). Over the next 350 years, Spanish, French and Austrian armies took turns occupying the fortress. Besieged, destroyed and rebuilt more than 20 times in 400 years, it grew to become the strongest fortress in Europe after Gibraltar.
The 19th Century
In 1815, after the break-up of the napoleonean empire, during which Luxembourg was listed In 1890, Luxembourg got its own dynasty when the country relinquished its ties to the Dutch House of Orange. Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg of the older Branch of the House of Nassau became the new Grand-Duke .
as the French "forestry department", the Congress of Vienna raised Luxembourg to the rank of Grand Duchy and included the country in the newly formed United Kingdom of the Netherlands, along with Belgium as personal property of the the king of the Netherlands, William I of Orange-Nassau. The United Kingdom of the Netherlands fragmented 16 years later, when Belgium broke off from the Netherlands, taking half of Luxembourg along for the ride. This division heated up the Grand-Duchy’s desire for independence, and in 1830 the Dutch portion became present-day Luxembourg. During its time of Personal Union to the Netherlands Luxembourg’s political independence and autonomy were strengthened, and the democratic institutions were developed. The 1867 Treaty of London reaffirmed Luxembourg's territorial integrity, and political autonomy (already granted by the 1839 Treaty of London). Luxembourg was declared neutral in international affairs - a neutrality that was protected by the great powers of the time – and the fortress dismantled.
The 20th Century
In 1948, after the Nazi occupation the country gave up its neutrality to join various economic, political, and military organisations such as the NATO and the United Nations. The formation of Benelux – an economic union between Belgium, the Netherland and Luxembourg – was among the more prominent of these grouping. The Grand Duchy is a founding member of the European Union and was host to the first European Institutions in 1953. In 1994, Luxembourg City was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 
The discovery of Iron ore around 1850 ushered Luxembourg into the 20th century and pushed the country to the frontline of European economic influence. Luxembourg was occupied during most of the duration of both World Wars. The Nazis invaded Luxembourg on May 10th and annexed the country de facto, but the Luxembourg people resisted and fought valiantly to regain their independence. In 1944 and 1945 the Battle of the Bulge was fought and, during this time, Hitler caused great destruction to the Grand Duchy. Luxembourg was re-liberated after the German army had been defeated by American troops.
The key dates in Luxembourg’s history:
963 Foundation of the county of Luxembourg by count Siegfried 1354 Luxembourg becomes a duchy 1364 largest expansion of Luxembourg, more than 10,000km/2 1312-1437 Heinrich VII, Karl IV, Wenzel and Sigismund are dukes of Luxembourg and Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire 1443 the present-day Belgium and the Netherlands 1506 Under Karl V, Luxembourg, Belgium and Netherlands come under Spanish control 1659 to France. 1684 Ludwig XIV conquers Luxembourg. His architect Vauban significantly expands Luxembourg’s fortifications. 1697 Back to Spanish control 1701-1714 Spanish war of succession 1714 today. 1795 Luxembourg becomes part of the FrenchRepublic as the ‘Department of Forests’ 1815 member of the German Federation. 1830 Luxembourg remains loyal to Belgium and takes part in the Belgian revolution, helping to build up the new kingdom. 1839 forms what is today known as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (2587 km2). 1841 Luxembourg draws up its own constitution and enters the German customs union. 1843 Luxembourg retains its dual language (French/German) status, which dates back to the Middle Ages. 1867 are demolished. Luxembourg becomes an open city. 1870 Luxembourg becomes a diocese 1890 Luxembourg obtains its own dynasty with Grand Duke Adolf of Nassau-Weilburg. 1918-1919 Luxembourg leaves the customs union with Germany. Universal suffrage for men and women. 1921 Luxembourg enters into financial and monetary union with Belgium. 1940 join the army or labour services. 1945 Luxembourg becomes a free country again following the Battle of the Bulge. 1945-1948 Luxembourg gives up its neutrality and joins the Benelux states, the UNO, the Brussels pact and the NATO. 1952 Luxembourg joins the monetary union. Luxembourg becomes one of the seats of the EU. 1984 languages of Luxembourg. 1985 Luxembourg elevated to archbishopric status. 2000 Grand Duke Henri takes over his father’s office (1964-2000) 2002 Luxembourg introduces the EURO as its official currency. (Sources: Text :The Luxembourg National Tourist Office for the United States, Visit Luxembourg : History, online publication : http://www.visitluxembourg.com/history.htm as at 09/07/2007) The Luxembourg Toursuit Office in the UK, Luxembourg in a Nutshell, online publication: http://www.luxembourg.co.uk/nutshell.html as at 09/07/2007 Lonely Planet, Culture and History of Luxembourg, online publication: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/luxembourg/essential?a=culture , as at 09/07/2007 The Luxembourg National Tourist Office, Key dates in the History of Luxembourg, online publication: http://www.ont.lu as at 09/07/2007 Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Tout Savoir sur le Luxembourg, online publication: http://www.gouvernement.lu/tout_savoir/histoire_monarchie/histoire.html , as at 09/07/2007 Pictures: The European Quarter: Luxembourg City Tourist Office: http://www.lcto.lu/ The Bock Cliff: Luxalbum : http://www.luxalbum.com/ Grand-Duke Adolphe of Nassau-Weilburg Luxcentral : http://www.luxcentral.com/
Luxembourg becomes part of the lower part of Burgundy. The Duchy of Luxembourg shared the same political area as
Through signature of the Treaty of the Pyrenees, Luxembourg loses areas around Thionville, Montmédy and Damvillers
Luxembourg falls to Austria. A ‘Golden Age’ begins. The Maria Theresia style farmsteads are a lasting sign of this time
Following the defeat of Napoleon, the Vienna Congress makes Luxembourg a Grand Duchy and assignes it the status of an independent state under the personal rule of the King of the Duchy of the Netherlands (William I of Orange Nassau). The areas to the left of the Sauer, Our and Moselle fall to Prussia (Bitburg, Neuerburg, St Vith). Luxembourg becomes a
Treaty of London. The Walloon-speaking part of Luxembourg remains part of Belgium (4320 km2). The eastern part
Congress of London, Luxembourg becomes neutral. The Prussian garrison abandons Luxembourg’s fortifications which
Nazi Germany attacks Luxembourg on 10th May. National strike against the occupiers. Through this stand, the population demonstrates its identity as residents of Luxembourg. 2% of the total population are killed. 10% are forced to
Luxembourgish becomes an official language. Since then, French, German and Luxembourgish are all of them official
| Related links |
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http://www.gouvernement.lu/tout_savoir/histoire_monarchie/histoire.html |
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/luxembourg/essential?... |