In April 2019, Canada’s Parliament proclaimed May 5th ‘Dutch Heritage Day’ after receiving unanimous support for the motion. This day will honour the sacrifices that Canadians made during the Second World War in liberating the Netherlands from Nazi occupation, while also recognizing the contributions made to Canada by those of Dutch heritage. The day itself, May 5th, was chosen as it is Liberation Day in the Netherlands, further reinforcing the ties between the two nations.
The special bond between Canada and the Netherlands was first forged during World War II, in part due to the Dutch Royal Family taking refuge in Ottawa in 1940. During this period of sanctuary in Canada’s capital, future Queen Juliana gave birth to Princess Margriet in a room that was declared extraterritorial to ensure that the new princess would be a Dutch citizen, rather than Canadian. Shortly afterwards, the two nations found themselves supporting each other again during the war, as Canadian forces fought in the liberation of the Netherlands – which was declared free yet again on May 5, 1945.
The gratitude of the Dutch Royal Family felt for their time in Ottawa and for the role Canadian forces had played in liberating their home led to one of the most well-known annual celebrations in Ottawa: The Canadian Tulip Festival. Upon returning to the Netherlands, the Dutch Royal Family gave Canada 100,000 bulbs of the Dutch national flower, which bloom and blossom the most beautiful colours and draw thousands of Canadians to the capital each year for the past six decades.
Each year, Canadians make pilgrimage to the Netherlands to honour family members who fell during the liberation efforts or to see the wonderful nation that is so closely tied to ours. On the anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands, it has become a tradition that Dutch children and their parents lay flowers and tend to Canadian graves in cemeteries and memorials.
Our two nations share historic ties that have led to a wonderful partnership, one that both Canada and the Netherlands are proud to be a part of. In recognizing May 5th as Dutch Heritage Day in Canada, the same day that the Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrates Liberation Day, Canada has further cemented the bond and friendship between the two countries. Around the world, Canadians and the Dutch will celebrate together on May 5th – and keep an eye out for tulips blooming both here in Canada and in the Netherlands as a symbol of our shared history! Plus, you may see some special Liberation75 tulips blooming in your neighbourhood as part of our partnership with the Kingdom of the Netherlands to send 100,000 bulbs to 1,100 schools across Canada! You can read more on that partnership here.