This year will be the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands! Officially a national Dutch holiday since 1990, Liberation Day commemorates the First Canadian Army’s liberation of the Netherlands from German occupation in World War II.
On May 5, 1945, Canadian General Charles Foulkes and the German Commander-in-Chief Johannes Blaskowitz reached an agreement on the capitulation of German forces in the Netherlands.
Celebrate Liberation Day in the Netherlands
Travel to the Netherlands to commemorate Victory in Europe. Celebrate the 70th anniversary of this historical Canadian milestone with Explorica, on 5 May 2015. We offer historical educational tours that highlight the First Canadian Army’s conquests in the Netherlands, Normandy and Vimy Ridge.
Liberation of the Netherlands
Experience the joy felt by the Dutch after the long German occupation ended on 5 May 1945, and join the Liberation Day festivities full of carnivals, parades and remembrance.
D-Day Netherlands and France
Learn how Canadian forces led the liberation of the Netherlands during World War II at the National Liberation Museum in Amsterdam, while exploring the hardships of the Dutch during the German occupation of the country.
D-Day Paris, Vimy & Normandy
Spend a few days walking through the streets of Paris, then journey across France to see the monument at Vimy Ridge honouring Canadian troops.
Battle of the Somme
Travel with us to France, and take a moment of silence with your fellow Canadians in remembrance of the 20,000-plus Canadian lives lost along the River Somme.