May 4th, Dutch Remembrance Day
Opdat wij niet vergeten.
(Lest we forget)
Remembrance Day (Dodenherdenking) is held annually on May 4 in the Netherlands. It commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of World War II.
At 8:00 p.m., two minutes of silence are observed throughout the Netherlands. Public transport is stopped, as well as all other traffic. Radio and TV only broadcast the ceremonies from 19.00 until 20.30.
In many towns, before or after the two minutes of silence, people gather around a monument, listen to speeches, and lay down flowers to remember the dead.
Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) The next day, on May 5, Dutch people celebrate the liberation of the nation by the Allies from the German occupation of 1940 to 1945.
“No celebration without Commemoration”
