1789 in Belgium

Events

• 29 April – Joseph II's government in Brussels issues a decree establishing rural representation in the Third Estate of the States of Brabant and abolishing their right to veto taxes.

• 8 May – Council of Brabant refuses to register the decree abolishing the veto of the Third Estate in the States of Brabant.

• 6 June – Joseph II instructs his minister in Brussels to decree that ordinary taxes will henceforth no longer be subject to annual approval by the States of Brabant.
• 18 June – In a government coup, Ferdinand von Trauttmansdorff, Joseph II's minister in Brussels, decrees the abolition of the Council of Brabant, the States of Brabant, and the Joyous Entry.

• 18 August – Beginning of Liège Revolution: democrats occupy the town hall
• 26 August – César-Constantin-François de Hoensbroeck, prince-bishop of Liège, flees to Trier; Republic of Liège proclaimed.

• 16 September – Déclaration des droits de l'homme et du citoyen de Franchimont: Declaration of Rights proclaimed at Franchimont Castle.

• 24 October – Army of émigré volunteers invades the Austrian Netherlands; Manifesto of the People of Brabant read out in Hoogstraten.
• 27 October – Battle of Turnhout (1789): government forces defeated by émigrés.

• Prussian forces sent to quell Liège revolution occupy the city of Liège.

• 12 December – Government of Joseph II, headed by Ferdinand von Trauttmansdorff, evacuates Brussels; General Council of Government abolished.

Publications and performances

• André Grétry
• * 2 March – Raoul Barbe-bleue, Paris, Comédie-Italienne
• * 17 March – Aspasie, Paris, Opéra

Births

• 4 May – Alexandre Gendebien, government minister

• 10 April – Princess Amélie Louise of Arenberg, noblewoman

• 14 October – Constant van Crombrugghe, founder of the Josephites of Belgium