The origin of Queen's Day in the Netherlands

From a celebration of the Queen's birthday to a national sport

The history of Queen's Day in the Netherlands begins with the current Queen's grandmother, Wilhelmina, who, at the end of the 19th century, suggested that the Dutch Liberal Party organize an event to celebrate the Queen's birthday in order to unite the country's people. Since Wilhelmina's birthday was August 31st, it coincided with the harvest season and replaced the Harvest Festival. In 1902, the news of Queen Vyhmina's recovery from a serious illness was so encouraging to the nation that it was felt that the Queen's birthday was so significant that it should be celebrated as a national holiday. However, it was only celebrated on special occasions, such as the Queen's 50th birthday in 1930

After Queen Wilhelmina's daughter, Queen Juliana, took over the throne, the Dutch continued the tradition of celebrating the Queen's birthday (April 30th). However, in 1948, when the current Queen Beatrix succeeded to the throne, she made her "official" birthday April 30th, continuing the tradition of her mother, Queen Juliana's birthday, as a sign of her love for her. (It is also jokingly said that Queen Beatrix's real birthday is on January 31st in the winter, when it is too cold for celebrations, so it was changed to April 30th.) After that, April 30 was designated as 'Koninginnedag (Queen of Holland's Day)', and every year the whole country not only takes a day off, but also celebrates it with a great deal of fanfare, not unlike a carnival.

Unlike her predecessors, Queen Beatrix visits two Dutch cities on April 30 every year. This year she will visit Deventer and Wijhe in the province of Overijssel, and the locals have prepared a variety of festivities to welcome her.