70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands
This week marks a very special 70th anniversary of the liberation the Netherlands by Canadian troops. That hard-won liberation started a very special friendship between the two countries; a friendship feted each year with the tulip festival in Ottawa and Gatineau and with celebrations in the Netherlands.
70 years ago, Canadian troops took place in a fierce offensive to free the Netherlands from the punishing occupation of German forces. More than 7,600 Canadian troops died in the successful effort, and the Dutch have never forgotten.
During the War, Canada sheltered Dutch royalty far from the fighting. A princess was born on Canadian soil during that time, and the friendship between the countries strengthened further. In gratitude, the Dutch crown princess presented Canada with a gift of 100,000 tulips when the war was over.
That gift, and the events leading up to it, is the subject of A Bloom of Friendship, a book by Anne Renaud that chronicles the origin of the warm friendship between Canada and the Netherlands. The book is written for children ages nine to twelve and includes archival photographs and personal accounts that bring history to life for a new generation. Anne dedicated the book to her uncle, Thomas Delaney, who fought in the Second World War.
I hope you all take a moment out of your weekend to reflect on the momentous events that took place on these days 70 years ago. For more information on the Tulip Festival or the liberation of the Netherlands, take a look at the links below or watch the ten minute video of veterens recounting their experiences.
More on the liberation of the Netherlands from Veteren's Affairs.
