Every year on 4 May, the national commemoration of Remembrance Day is held on Dam Square. Dutch victims of war are commemorated with a two minute silence. Many Dutch people share in that moment on television, looking at Dam Square over the shoulders of ‘Peace’.
National Commemoration
4 May is the day on which we commemorate all Dutch victims of war.
‘During the national commemoration of Remembrance Day we remember all Dutch victims – civilians and soldiers – who have been killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war situations or during peace-keeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War.’
The national commemoration of Remembrance Day in the Netherlands takes place on 4 May, at 8pm. At that moment, two minutes of silence are observed throughout the country to commemorate Dutch victims of war. A remembrance ceremony is held on Dam Square in Amsterdam in the presence of the head of state and various representatives of both the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Parliament.
The citizens of Amsterdam topped the Town Hall’s
façade with Peace. The building of the Town Hall began in 1648 directly
following the end of the 80 Years War between the Dutch Republic and the
Spanish. Peace is presented as a woman holding an olive branch and a staff of
Mercury in her hands. The message is clear: in Amsterdam, peace and trade go
hand in hand.