Liberation Day in the Netherlands
Liberation Day in the Netherlands is held on May 5. Soon after the Second World War, it was decided that Liberation Day should be held on 5 May, the date of the German army’s defeat. This event in the first decade of the month May is annual. 
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It’s a moment to realize how lucky you are to live in a country where people live in freedom, and to reflect on the fact that there are many places in the world where this is not the case. The flag is hoisted throughout the Netherlands and liberation festivals are held everywhere. Enjoy music, theater and poetry and take a moment to consider what peace and security means to you.
Every year, you can celebrate freedom at Liberation Festivals in 14 cities throughout the Netherlands. Such as the Bevrijdingsfestival in Wageningen, where the Germans capitulated in 1945. There is a Liberation Festival in every province, from Haarlem and Groningen to Roermond. With over 200 artists performing, these festivals are the biggest freely accessible events in the Netherlands.
Similar holidays and events, festivals and interesting facts
Remembrance Day in the Netherlands on May 4 (it was observed for the first time on May 4, 1946. Every year, people dedicate two minutes of silence at 8pm [local time] on May 4 to pay their respects to soldiers and civilians who died during World War II, as well as other military conflicts and peace-keeping missions);
Christ's Ascension on May 9 (or Kristi Himmelfartsdag in Norway);
Mamertus, the first of the Ice Saints on May 11
Mother’s Day on May 12 (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bonaire, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Dem. Rep., Congo, Rep., Cote d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Gabon, Gambia, Greenland, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Vietnam, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe);
Whit Monday on May 20 (celebrated on the day after Pentecost);
Grandparents and Great-Grandparents Day in Netherlands on June 4 (Opa en Oma Dag has been celebrated since 2004);
Father's Day on June 16 (Ñelebrated on the third Sunday of June øò Argentina, Aruba, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Kenya, Japan, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Venezuela, United Kingdom)
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