The Flemish struggle for emancipation refers to the long campaign the Flemish have conducted since the nineteenth century in order to gain the right to use their language instead of French. French was the language of the higher classes and as Brussels had frenchified a lot, it was seen as a symbol of this battle. At the end of the nineteenth century, the Flemish efforts start to bear fruit (see also: >first language laws). In >1963, the language borders are officially set and Brussels becomes bilingual. The Dutch language receives political protection and Dutch speakers have the right to be served in their own language.

see also: >Flemish Movement

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