Bucharest Became Romania's Capital on December 23, 1861

Bucharest became the capital of the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia (Romania) on December 23, 1861.

Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, elected ruler of both principalities (1859), formally unified the administration in Bucharest, ending Iași's role as Moldavia's capital. Bucharest had been Wallachia's capital since 1659.

Romania's independence was recognized 1878 (Treaty of Berlin); kingdom proclaimed 1881 (Carol I). Bucharest remained capital throughout.