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The humble beginnings of the city of Luxembourg date back to the times of the Roman Empire, when the Romans established fortifications in the area. The location kept its strategic importance over the centuries and was hotly contested by the many surrounding empires. Luxembourg changed hands quite often - between the Spanish, the Habsburgs, the French, the Prussians, the Dutch and the Germans. In 1815, after the French Revolution, Luxembourg was declared a Grand Duchy, under the occupation of the Prussian army, as part of the new German Confederation. However it soon entered into a personal union with the Netherlands, which lasted until 1890. That's when Luxembourg finally achieved true independence, although it was again fairly short lived. It was occupied by the German Empire during World War 1 and by Nazi Germany during World War 2. After the war, the city finally had the opportunity to prosper again. As a testimony to its central and vital location on the continent, it hosted the headquarters of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community, the European Union's predecessor.