Birth of Albert I
Birth of Albert I, son of Philip Count of Flanders
Role range: 1909-1934
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Albert I Biography and Timeline
Follow Albert I through 99 dated historical records for Belgium.
Albert I, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
99Distinct records
1 of 3Page
1875–1914Years on this page
1875
1900
Marriage
Marries Duchess Elizabeth of Bavaria
Role range: 1909-1934
1902
Plot
A failed assassination attemp to kill Albert I
Role range: 1909-1934
1909
Succession
Succeeds as King of Belgium
Role range: 1909-1934
1914
Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
Role range: 1914-1918
Battle of Belgium, 1st
Germany demands passage through Belgium
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Battle of Belgium, 1st
The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory
Role range: 1914-1918
Diplomatic Ultimatum
The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory
Role range: 1914-1918
Invasion of Belgium
Germany demands passage through Belgium
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Invasion of Belgium
The German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory
Role range: 1914-1918
Battle of Belgium, 1st
Belgium rejects Germany's demands for passage through Belgium
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Battle of Belgium, 1st
The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality
Role range: 1914-1918
Battle of Belgium, 1st
Germany invades Belgium & is stopped at Liege
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Invasion of Belgium
Belgium rejects Germany's demands for passage through Belgium
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Invasion of Belgium
The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality
Role range: 1914-1918
Invasion of Belgium
Germany invades Belgium & is stopped at Liege
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Political Support
The British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality
Role range: 1914-1918
Battle of Belgium, 1st
German troops cross the Belgian frontier and attack Liege
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Germany
Germany declares war on Belgium. Belgium severs diplomatic relations with Germany
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Declaration of War
Germany declares war on Belgium
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Invasion of Belgium
German troops cross the Belgian frontier and attack Liege
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Capture of Liege
Germany captures Liege
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Capital
The Belgian capital is moved from Brussels to Antwerp
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Battle of Belgium, 1st
The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
Role range: 1914-1918
Capture of Gette
The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
Role range: 1914-1918
Invasion of Belgium
The Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp
Role range: 1914-1918
Antwerp National Redoubt Becomes Belgian Base
After the withdrawal from central Belgium, King Albert I establishes the fortified Antwerp region as the principal refuge of the Belgian field army. Its position threatens German communications while preserving a substantial Belgian force.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Capture of Brussels
Germany captures Brussels
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
British and French Governments guarantee to Belgium the integrity of her colonies
British and French Governments guarantee to Belgium the integrity of her colonies
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Declaration of War
Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Belgian Army Prepares First Antwerp Sortie
Belgian formations reconnoitre the approaches south of Antwerp before an offensive designed to distract German units operating against the Allied armies farther south.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Belgian First Sortie Advances from Antwerp
Four Belgian divisions advance from the Antwerp perimeter toward German positions and transport links near Mechelen. The movement seeks to divert enemy troops away from the fighting in northern France.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Belgian First Sortie Ends
The Belgian army abandons its first sortie after learning that the French and British forces are retreating. Its units return to the Antwerp defences rather than risk an unsupported advance.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Zeppelin Raid Strikes Antwerp
A German airship bombs Antwerp during the night of 25 to 26 August, killing civilians and demonstrating the vulnerability of the fortified city to aerial attack.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Declaration of War
Austria is at war with Belgium
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Second Belgian Sortie Opens
Albert’s field army launches a second sortie from Antwerp toward the German flank in central Belgium. The attack aims to disrupt communications and force German reinforcements to remain in Belgium.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Belgian Cavalry Reaches Leuven Approaches
During the second sortie, Belgian cavalry advances toward Leuven as other formations secure crossings over the Demer and Dyle. The movement puts pressure on German rear-area routes.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Belgian Second Sortie Returns to Antwerp
German reinforcements check the Belgian offensive, and the field army withdraws to its fortified base at Antwerp. The operation has nevertheless compelled German commanders to divert forces.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Final Antwerp Sortie Attempted
Belgian troops advance against German forces near Dendermonde in a final attempt to protect Antwerp’s western communications. German counterattacks and artillery support soon halt the operation.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Antwerp Defence Lines Reinforced
Belgian field formations and fortress troops strengthen the positions between Antwerp’s outer forts during early September. Their preparations anticipate a renewed German assault on the national redoubt.
Role range: 1914-1918 – 1909-1934
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.