80 years of freedom in five moments (1945 – 2025)
In 2024 and 2025, we commemorate 80 years of freedom. Activities are taking place throughout the Netherlands to celebrate and commemorate 80 years of freedom. On the website Vrijheid.nl, you will find an overview of the commemorations and celebrations being organized in this year of remembrance up to and including August 15, 2025. During this year of remembrance, we reflect on 5 special moments.
Moment 1: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the Southern Netherlands
September 12 marks the beginning of the national celebration of 80 years of freedom. On this day in 1944, the liberation of the Netherlands began in Mesch, Limburg. Zeeland, Brabant and part of Gelderland soon followed. The liberation was accompanied by fierce fighting, many casualties, and a Hunger Winter. Ultimately, the entire Netherlands was liberated on May 5, 1945. A few months later, on August 15 of that same year, the Second World War came to an end in the former Dutch East Indies, and with it, the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 2024 and 2025, we celebrate and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and the fact that we have lived in freedom since the end of the Second World War.
Moment 2: Commemoration of the Holocaust
During the Second World War (1940-1945), the Nazis murdered nearly 6 million Jews. Also Rome in SintiJehovah's Witnesses, people with physical or mental disabilities, homosexuals, and political opponents were persecuted and murdered. In January, we pause to remember these victims. We commemorate their persecution and murder 80 years ago. We do this on January 26, among other occasions, during the National Holocaust Remembrance Day in Amsterdam.
Moment 3: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the Eastern and Northern Netherlands
Eighty years ago, in April 1945, Allied troops advanced into the north and east of the Netherlands to liberate South Holland, North Holland, Utrecht, Overijssel, Drenthe, Friesland, and Groningen as well. While the southern Netherlands had already been liberated, the occupied part of the country had to endure a long, harsh Hunger Winter. Partly thanks to the resistance, mainly Canadian soldiers to liberate large parts of the country.
Moment 4: National Commemoration and Liberation Celebration on May 4 and 5
Every year we commemorate during the National Remembrance Day On May 4, at the Dam Monument, we commemorate the victims of the Second World War and of subsequent war situations and peacekeeping operations. At 8:00 PM, two minutes of silence are observed throughout the Netherlands. On May 5, we commemorate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945 and the fact that we have lived in freedom ever since. On that day, we also reflect on the value of freedom, democracy, and human rights.
Moment 5: Commemorating and celebrating the end of the Second World War
On August 15, we commemorate the end of the Second World War for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and remember all victims of the war against Japan and the Japanese occupation of the former Dutch East IndiesThese war experiences and the large-scale displacement that followed the liberation continue to have an impact on our society to this day.
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Photo exhibition 'The Good, the Bad and the Roma' at the Atrium The Hague, until May 2, 2025: https://atriumcityhall.nl/agenda/fototentoonstelling-the-good-the-bad-and-the-roma/ https://www.oncewewerebirds.nl/ 80 Years of Freedom in Brabant: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/2024/09/18/80-jaar-vrijheid-in-brabant/ May 4 and 5: https://www.4en5mei.nl/ 80 Years of Freedom: https://www.vrijheid.nl/ About the shared history of the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies / Indonesia: https://www.onsland.nl/ Europe Remembers: https://www.europeremembers.com/ Timeline of the Second World War, The complete course of the Second World War at a glance Discover the complete course of the Second World War at a glance. Using hundreds of images, maps, and accessible descriptions, this timeline highlights all facets of WWII: from the rise of fascism and the Blitzkrieg to D-Day, Hiroshima, and the founding of NATO. Learn about the global impact of what truly was a 'world war'.
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