The eastern European provinces of Wallachia and Moldavia are united to form what will be called Romania

The Danubian provinces of Moldovia and Wallachia had long sought autonomy within the Ottoman Empire. When the European powers recognized the election of an army officer from Moldovia named Prince Alexandu Ion Cuza in the assemblies of both principalities, the effect was to create the state called officially the United Principalities of Moldo-Wallachia. In 1866, after further great power machinations, that state would become Romania. (By John Osborne)