Supposedly founded by Vlad Tepes — better known as Dracula — in 1459, it was during the second half of the 19th century that Bucharest's population grew rapidly. The architecture and cultural atmosphere of the era earned the city the nickname "the Paris of the East", though the social divide between rich and poor remained vast. In December 1916 the city was occupied by German forces and the capital was moved to Iași, before being finally liberated in November 1918 and becoming the capital of the new Kingdom of Romania. Bucharest suffered further widespread destruction during World War II through bombing by British and American air forces. Under the Ceaușescu dictatorship, large parts of the city's historic area — including ancient churches — were demolished and replaced with communist-era architecture. Today Bucharest is resurging, and it is waiting to show you its joy.