The following lists events that happened during 1880 in the Kingdom of Belgium.
Incumbents Monarch: Leopold II Prime Minister: Walthère Frère-Orban
Events
January – The White slave trade affair is exposed in Brussels and attracts international attention. 7 March – Reception in the winter garden at Royal Palace of Laken to celebrate the engagement of Princess Stéphanie of Belgium to Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria. 24 May – Provincial elections 5 June – Belgian government breaks off diplomatic relations with the Holy See. 8 June – Partial legislative elections of 1880 16 August – Celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Belgian independence in Cinquantenaire Park 22-28 August – International Educational Congress held in Brussels.On Internet Archive September – Queen Marie Henriette visits Aachen for her health.François Nizet, Voyage de Bruxelles a Aix-la-Chapelle: Excursions de Sa Majesté la Reine des Belges (Brussels, 1881) On Internet Archive 25 December – Pope Leo XIII issues a breve to establish a new chair in Thomist philosophy at the Catholic University of Louvain.
Publications Periodicals Bulletin de l'Association Belge de Photographie, vol. 7 La Jeune Belgique begins publication.
Exhibition catalogues F.G. Dumas, Catalogue illustré de l'exposition historique de l'art belge et du Musée moderne de Bruxelles (Brussels and Paris)On Internet Archive Exposition nationale: IVe section, industries d'art en Belgique antérieurs au XIXe siècle (Brussels, Veuve Ch. Vanderauwera)On Internet Archive
Art and architecture Buildings Cinquantenaire
Paintings Jan Verhas, The Parade of the Schools in 1878 Charles Soubre, The Arrival of Charles Rogier and the Volunteers of Liège in Brussels
Births 10 January – Frans Van Cauwelaert, politician (died 1961) 5 May – Adrian Carton de Wiart, British general (died 1963) 4 December – Eugène Soudan, politician (died 1960)
Deaths 30 January – Paul Devaux (born 1801), politician 28 April – Louis Dubois (born 1830), painter 13 May – Lievin De Winne (born 1821), painter
References