Every year, the Netherlands pauses on May 4 for Remembrance Day to honor the fallen heroes of World War II, then celebrates Liberation Day on May 5, marking our freedom. These two days are sacred Dutch traditions, but this year, they’re sparking a new conversation. Some are pushing to make these commemorations more inclusive, reflecting global struggles and modern challenges, rather than focusing solely on our nation’s past. In today’s blog, I dive into this debate and what it means for a tradition we vow to never forget.
Let me kick things off by saying I’m not on board with changing Remembrance Day and Liberation Day. These days are all about honoring the heroes who fought for our freedom in World War II—heroes who shaped Dutch history. Mixing in stuff like global conflicts or other causes just waters down what makes these days special. Honestly, it feels like another push to chip away at our traditions. Those who gave everything for us deserve their moment, no question. There’s 363 other days to tackle the world’s problems, so let’s keep these two for the people who gave their lives for our country.
We’ve got to learn from history. On Remembrance Day and Liberation Day, you’ll hear “never again” thrown around, but we aren’t seeing that trouble’s already at our doorstep. Just last Thursday, a big fight broke out in Scheveningen—hundreds of kids clashing, throwing stones at police, wrecking terraces. It’s a sign our country’s veering off track, with values like safety and respect getting lost. Instead of stepping up with real solutions, our leaders sit back, ignoring the warning signs. This is happening right in front of us, and we can’t just shrug it off. It’s time we all wake up, see what’s at stake, and fight to make sure a disaster like World War II never happens again.
It’s not just street fights like in Scheveningen—our talk shows and media are buzzing with folks who think inclusivity fixes everything. Take this year’s push to include Gaza’s victims in Remembrance Day and Liberation Day. For me, that’s a hard no. These days are about honoring our WWII heroes and celebrating Dutch freedom, not global conflicts. Mixing them up dilutes what makes these days ours. Sometimes, it’s really just that simple.
On Remembrance Day, I’ll be joining the two-minute silence at 8:00 p.m., giving our World War II heroes the respect they earned. Then, on Liberation Day, I’ll soak up the freedom they fought for, living life to the fullest. I just hope everyone across the Netherlands keeps these days about honoring our past, not turning them into debates about today’s issues. Ten years ago, I’d never have worried about that, but now it’s a real concern. If those heroes could see how we’re letting our values slip, they’d probably shake their heads. Like I’ve said before, the power’s in our hands—we just need to use it. Will we step up and learn from history before it’s too late?