Liberation Day (Netherlands)

Liberation Day (Dutch: Bevrijdingsdag [bəˈvrɛidɪŋzˌdɑx] ^ⓘ) is a national holiday in the Netherlands celebrated annually on May 5 to mark the end of the German occupation of the country during the Second World War. It follows one day after the Remembrance of the Dead (Dodenherdenking) on 4 May. The end of the war is instead marked by National Remembrance on 15 August.

After liberation in 1945, Liberation Day was celebrated every five years. In 1990 the day was declared a national holiday when liberation would be remembered and celebrated every year. Liberation Day replaced Waterloo Day. Festivals are held in most places in the Netherlands with parades of veterans and musical festivals throughout the whole country on Liberation Day.