le in Belgian general strikes and particularly during the Belgian general strike of 1936, the General strike against Leopold III of Belgium and the 1960-1961 Winter General Strike.
World Wars I and II
By 1871, the fortified walls around the city were completely torn down. Heavy fighting took place during World War I due to the city�s strategic location on the Sambre. After World War II, Charleroi witnessed a general decline of its heavy industry. Following the merger with several surrounding municipalities in 1977, the city is today the largest city in Wallonia and the 4th largest in Belgium
