In Netherlands (Holland), Koninginnedag is celebrated on April 30 (or on April 29 if April 30 is a Sunday). Even though Queen Beatrix’s birthday is on January 31, April 30 was the birthday of her mother, Queen Juliana. Out of respect for her mother, Queen Beatrix wanted to continue celebrating on that date. The forerunner of this holiday was first celebrated on August 31, 1885, Princess Wilhelmina’s birthday as an initiative of the Liberal Party, which wanted to emphasize national unity. The first real Koninginnedag was held on August 31, 1891, after the death of King Willem III. On August 31 1902, Koninginnedag turned into a full-scale celebration of Queen Wilhelmina’s recovery from a serious illness. During Queen Juliana’s reign, the Dutch people presented her with a floral tribute at Soestdijk Palace. The flower parade has been televised since the 1950s. It gradually became the custom to have a day off on April 30, and it is now an official public holiday celebrating national unity. Each year, the Queen and members of her family visit one or two places, and join in the Queen’s Day celebrations.
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