11th May Luxembourg

Today, Luxembourg celebrates the Reaffirmation of Independence Treaty of London dated 11 May 1867. 10 things you might not know about the Grand Duchy:

1. It's officially known as the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and is the only Grand Duchy in the world. The current Grand Duke is Henri Albert Gabriel Félix Marie Guillaume, reigning since 7 October 2000.
2. Luxembourg was founded in 963AD as the County of Luxembourg by Sigefroid, Count of the Ardennes, who built a fort there and gave it the ancient Saxon name Lucilinburhuc (‘little fortress’).
3. Luxembourg's strategic position led to a history of being passed around from one major power to another. It has been French, Spanish, Austrian, and French again. It became an independent state in 1815, but even after that, Vienna gave it to the King of the Netherlands as a gift! It was occupied by Germany in both world wars, despite declaring neutrality. Luxembourg’s motto is 'mir wëllebleiwewatmirsinn' meaning ‘we want to remain what we are’.
4. After World War II, Luxembourg was keen for France and Germany, both of which border it, to get along. Their work at mediation between the two countries eventually led to the European Union, of which it is a founding member. Its capital Luxembourg City is, together with Brussels and Strasbourg, one of the three official capitals of the European Union and the seat of the European Court of Justice.
5. Luxembourg covers an area of 2,586 square kilometres (998 sq mi), making it slightly smaller than Oxfordshire and about the same size as Northamptonshire or the US state of Rhode Island. Its population is around 562,958 (2015 estimate). It may be one of the smallest states in Europe, but it it is the second richest country in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product per capita - only Qatar is richer.
6. It also sells the most alcohol in Europe per capita - but that doesn't mean Luxembourg is a nation of alcoholics, since most of the booze is sold to customers in neighbouring countries. Some of it, too, is no doubt sold in the Restaurant Chiggeri in the city of Luxembourg. It has a very extensive Wine list, including more than 2,200 different wines - the world's largest wine list.
7. According to a UN survey, you have less chance of being shot in Luxembourg than in any other country in the world.
8. There are three official languages: French, German, and Luxembourgish. Luxembourgish belongs to the High German family of languages, but more than 5,000 words in the language are of French origin. Luxembourgish is the language that Luxembourgers generally use to speak to each other, but it is not often used as the written language. In fact, it didn't even appear in print until 1821, in a weekly journal, the 'Luxemburger Wochenblatt'. However, since the 1980s there have been a few novels written in it. Around 346,000 people around the world speak Luxembourgish. Most official (written) business is carried out in French. German is the language used in the media and the church.
9. Luxembourg was the first city to be named European Capital of Culture twice. The country has also won the Eurovision song contest five times. Only Ireland has won more often.
10. On Whit Tuesday, an unusual sight can be witnessed in the city of Echertnach, when around 10,000 people take part in Europe’s largest traditional dancing procession. Wearing white shirts and dark trousers or skirts and holding handkerchiefs, they perform a synchronised hopping procession around the city, accompanied by a polka marching band. This event has been awarded UNESCO World heritage status.