More info: In 1945 Belgrade became the capital of communist Yugoslavia, being led by Marshal Josip Broz Tito until his death in 1980. During this period Belgrade became the economic, cultural and political centre of the Balkans, as the country was balancing itself between the East and the West.
This period of stability did not last, and the country broke up into five new republics after the Yugoslav wars. Not long after that, the city saw violence again in 1999, as it was heavily bombed for 78 days by NATO forces. Finally in 2006, the city became the capital city of the independent Republic of Serbia.