Luxembourg's history spans 1000 years — from Lucilinburhuc castle in 963, through Burgundian, Spanish, Austrian, French, German rule, to modern founding state of the EU.
Origins (963–1437)
963 — Siegfried, Count of Ardennes, acquired the rock of Lucilinburhuc ("little castle") where he built his castle. House of Luxembourg counts several Holy Roman Emperors: Henry VII, Charles IV (who founded Charles University in Prague), Sigismund.
Foreign Rule (1437–1815)
Luxembourg passed successively to Burgundians (1443), Spanish Habsburgs (1506), Austrian Habsburgs (1714), French Republic (1795). Strategic fortress — nicknamed "Gibraltar of the North".
Grand Duchy (1815–1890)
Congress of Vienna 1815 — Luxembourg became Grand Duchy, in personal union with the Netherlands. Independence recognized 1839 (Treaty of London). Definitive secession 1890 — Nassau-Weilburg dynasty.
Two World Wars
WWI — German occupation 1914-1918 despite neutrality. WWII — Nazi occupation 1940-1945, deportations. Battle of the Bulge 1944-45 — severe fighting in south of country.
EU Founding State
Co-founder of NATO 1949, Benelux, ECSC 1951, EU (Treaty of Rome 1957). Luxembourg City seat of several European institutions: Court of Justice, EIB, Eurostat.
Modern Luxembourg
645,000 inhabitants, GDP per capita $135,000 (highest in EU). European financial centre. 3 official languages: Luxembourgish, French, German. Grand Duke Henri since 2000. 50% of population are foreigners.