A1 KNM: Important National Days
The Netherlands has several important national holidays and remembrance days. May 4th is Remembrance Day for WWII victims (Dodenherdenking), and May 5th i...

The Netherlands has several important national holidays and remembrance days. May 4th is Remembrance Day for WWII victims (Dodenherdenking), and May 5th is Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) celebrating the end of Nazi occupation in 1945.
| Date | Dutch Name | What It Is | What to Remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 27 | Koningsdag | King's birthday celebration | A national holiday with orange clothing, free markets, and public celebrations. |
| May 4 | Dodenherdenking | WWII Remembrance Day | At 20:00 many people observe two minutes of silence. |
| May 5 | Bevrijdingsdag | Liberation Day | The Netherlands celebrates freedom after the end of the World War II occupation. |
| Dec 5 | Sinterklaas | Saint Nicholas Eve | A family celebration with presents, poems, and traditional children's songs. |
Examples
- Wat vieren we op 5 mei?
- What do we celebrate on May 5th?
- Bevrijdingsdag is op 5 mei.
- Liberation Day is on May 5th.
- Op 4 mei is er 2 minuten stilte.
- On May 4th there are 2 minutes of silence.
Study note
On May 4th at 8:00 PM, the entire country observes two minutes of silence. Traffic stops, people stand still wherever they are. This is taken very seriously - participating shows respect.
Practice after reading
Train A1 knowledge of Dutch society with timed KNM practice questions.