The Significance of May 4th: Honoring the Victims of War
National Remembrance Ceremony
May 4th, known as "Dodenherdenking" (Remembrance of the Dead), has traditionally been designated to commemorate those who perished during World War II. While May 5th is typically a paid holiday once every five years (in lustrum years), May 4th is always observed as the National Remembrance Day, regardless of whether it falls on a Sunday or coincides with a religious holiday.
Honoring the Fallen
On May 4th, the Netherlands pays tribute to the victims of the Second World War, as well as those who have fallen in subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations. The National Committee for May 4th and 5th organizes the National Remembrance Ceremony at Dam Square in Amsterdam each year.
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