Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Dutch Liberation Day

May 5, 2010 (Ottawa, ON) -- Mr. Speaker, as we enjoy the beautiful tulips on Parliament Hill and along the Rideau Canal again this spring, Id like to rise today to recognize the history behind those tulips.

That's because today is the 65th Anniversary of Liberation Day in The Netherlands.

Mr. Speaker, brave Canadian troops helped push the Nazis further back into Germany throughout the winter of 1944 - 45, liberating the Dutch people from five years of tyranny. Ravaged by terror bombings and starving, the Dutch people were overjoyed and welcomed our troops with open arms.

It was on May 5th, 1945 that the Nazi commander in Holland capitulated and this ended the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands.

Mr. Speaker, the people of The Netherlands were also very thankful that the Dutch Royal Family had been provided safe refuge here in Ottawa during the war.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, Princess Juliana, who would later become the Dutch Queen, gave birth to her third daughter, Princess Margriet at the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

As a result, you see many Canadian flags throughout The Netherlands each May 5th on Liberation Day. And its also why we enjoy the 20,000 tulip bulbs given each year by the Dutch to the people of Canada as a thank you.

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