On 4 May 2027, the Netherlands falls silent. During the National Remembrance (Nationale Dodenherdenking) on Dam Square, the country commemorates all Dutch victims of war and peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of the Second World War.

The ceremony on Dam Square

In the presence of the King and Queen, veterans, and thousands of attendees, wreaths are laid at the National Monument. At 20:00 sharp, the entire country observes two minutes of silence – trams stop, cars pull over, and even the boats on the canals cut their engines. It is one of the most moving moments of the year, broadcast live on national television.

Attending as a visitor

• Dam Square fills up from the early evening; arrive well before 19:30 or follow the ceremony on screens nearby
• The atmosphere is solemn – festive behaviour and large bags are out of place
• Many churches and neighbourhood monuments across Amsterdam hold their own smaller ceremonies
• After the silence, the Taptoe signal and the national anthem conclude the ceremony

Good to know

• Date: 4 May 2027, ceremony from ±19:50, two minutes of silence at 20:00
• Location: National Monument, Dam Square
• Costs: free, open to everyone
• The next day the mood flips completely: Liberation Day celebrates freedom with festivals across the city