The Netherlands 

Day of Remembrance: 4-5 May

Historical Background:
May 4, 1945 is the day before the “Bevrijdingsdag”, May 5, 1945, marking the end of the German occupation of The Netherlands.

The Netherlands and the Holocaust:
Lexicon entry from Yad Vashem's online Holocaust Resource Center: The Netherlands  

Educational Activities:
National ceremony:
The Netherlands sets aside two days, May 4-5, to mark these events. After a day of looking back at the past, the nation turns its hopes to the future. On these days the Netherlands affirms its pledge to provide a haven for all its citizens. The Netherlands observes 4 May as a day of commemoration and contemplation, and 5 May as a celebration of freedom.
Since the end of WWII, the Dutch have observed 4 May as a day of reflection, and a day to honor the victims of war. At eight o'clock in the evening the country unites in commemorating the civilians and members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the Second World War. People all over the country gather at war memorials in their own communities, and at 8:00 pm the entire country observes a two-minute silence. All these events are broadcast live on television and radio.
Remembrance Day is a tribute to all Dutch victims of war. Special honor is paid to civilians and to members of the armed forces who fell in the Second World War, and to all Dutch nationals who have lost their lives since, in other wars or in peacekeeping operations. Three wreaths are placed for civilians who were killed in Europe in 1940-1945: one for members of the Resistance, one for victims of persecution, and one for civilian casualties. A separate wreath is laid for those who fell in Asia, and another for the servicemen and merchant marine crews who gave their lives in the line of duty.
The Dutch government established the National 4 and 5 May Committee, in which four government ministries are represented. The committee is responsible for organizing the Remembrance Day memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony, and the events marking the official beginning and end of Liberation Day. It also coordinates the 13 liberation festivals and runs projects to educate students about the significance of these two occasions and encourage them to take part in the activities.

Websites and Teaching Aids:
Description of events commemorated on May 4th and 5th www.4en5mei.nl
Museums:
Anne Frank Museum: www.annefrank.org
Corrie ten Boom Museum: www.corrietenboom.com
Digital Monument to the Jewish Community  in the  Netherlands:
http://www.joodsmonument.nl/index.php?lang=en

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