Remembrance Day Description
Remembrance Day honors all Dutch civilians and military personnel who died in wars or peacekeeping missions since World War II. At 8:00 PM, the entire country observes two minutes of silence — trains stop, traffic halts, and public life pauses. The main ceremony at Dam Square in Amsterdam is attended by the King and Queen, who lay a wreath at the National Monument. It is not a mandatory day off, but many employers allow early departure for observances. Flags fly at half-mast throughout the day.
