100 things challenge - 4: Queen's Day
Tomorrow, we nationally celebrate Queen's Day or Koninginnedag in The Netherlands. On this day, the Queen visits one or two cities or towns in The Netherlands with her family and is there treated to a taste of the local customs, sports- and music societies and historical details. This visit is broadcast live on television, but most other towns in The Netherlands will have their own festivities. Most notably, extensive flea markets are held and there are lots of musical performances. People often dress up in orange during this day when they go out to celebrate.
The holiday was first held on the 31th of August 1885 on the 5th birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, and was then called Princess' Day. The name was changed to Queen's Day when Wilhelmina ascended the throne. From 1949 onwards, Queen's Day was celebrated at the current date of 30 April, the birthday of Queen Juliana. Her daughter Queen Beatrix decided to keep celebrating the day at this date, as her own birthday is in January, not a really suitable month for outdoor festivities.... When her son Willem Alexander will succeed her, we will probably call the holiday King's Day, but that will take some getting used to!
Queen's Day last year: from left to right Princess Margriet, Princess Laurentien, Queen Beatrix, (behind her)
Prince Constantijn, Prince Willem Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima
The holiday was first held on the 31th of August 1885 on the 5th birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, and was then called Princess' Day. The name was changed to Queen's Day when Wilhelmina ascended the throne. From 1949 onwards, Queen's Day was celebrated at the current date of 30 April, the birthday of Queen Juliana. Her daughter Queen Beatrix decided to keep celebrating the day at this date, as her own birthday is in January, not a really suitable month for outdoor festivities.... When her son Willem Alexander will succeed her, we will probably call the holiday King's Day, but that will take some getting used to!
Queen's Day last year: from left to right Princess Margriet, Princess Laurentien, Queen Beatrix, (behind her)
Prince Constantijn, Prince Willem Alexander and his wife Princess Maxima