Belgian National Day
| Belgian National Day | |
|---|---|
21 July | |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | |
Belgian National Day (
History
In the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, Belgium became part of the United Netherlands. After a period of growing unrest, the Belgian Revolution forced Dutch forces out of the country between August and October 1830. By November, the different revolutionary factions had coalesced around the idea of national independence and began drafting a constitution for an independent Belgian state. It was decided that it would become a constitutional and popular monarchy, reflecting the romantic nationalism popular at the time. Searching for a monarch, the revolutionaries decided on Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha who was a German aristocrat popular in the United Kingdom. Leopold arrived in Brussels in early July 1831 and, on 21 July, swore allegiance to the constitution, becoming the country's first monarch. 21 July 1831 is thus considered to mark the start of the modern Kingdom of Belgium.[1]
Belgian National Day was originally celebrated on 27 September, the date of the expulsion of Dutch forces from Brussels during the Revolution's "September Days". In 1890, this was changed by law to 21 July to strengthen the association between the observance and the
Programme
Belgian National Day is celebrated across Belgium and in Belgian emigrant communities abroad on 21 July. It is a public holiday, being one of ten observed nationally each year.[2] Historically, National Day is marked by a televised speech by the King.
The main festivities occur in Brussels. They traditionally begin with a
Elsewhere in Belgium, celebrations often involve church services, flea markets, and public concerts. Belgian flags are commonly displayed in shops and private houses. Belgium's climate means that rain is common on National Day and is popularly referred to in French as the "National Downpour" (drache nationale).[6]
-
King Albert II reviews cadets of the Royal Military Academy on National Day 2011. -
Parade by the Royal Escort on National Day 2018 -
Crowds on the Rue de la Régence on National Day 2016 -
Display by the Belgian Air Force on the Place Royale in 2016, involving an F-16 jet -
Fast-food kiosks, many selling typically Belgian dishes such aswaffles, in the Brussels Park in 2011
_01.jpg)
Notable events
On National Day 2013, King Philippe formally ascended to the throne following the abdication of his father Albert II.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Why does Belgium celebrate its National Day on 21 July?". VRT News. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ a b "National Day and feast days of Communities and Regions". Belgian Federal Government. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ Pluvinage, Gonzague (2014). "Bruxelles à l'heure allemande". Cahiers Bruxellois. 46 (1): 15-39.
- ^ Harris, Richard (18 July 2019). "How and where to celebrate Belgian National Day in style". The Bulletin. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "100,000 people watch National Day military parade". VRT News. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "La drache nationale gâchera-t-elle la fête du 21 juillet?" [Will the National Downpour spoil the July 21 celebration?]. 7-Sur-7. Belga. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
- ^ "Belgium's King Albert II announces abdication". BBC News. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
Further reading
- Janssens, Jeroen (2001). De Belgische Natie Viert: De Belgische Nationale Feesten, 1830–1914 [The Belgian Nation Celebrates: The Belgian National Festivities, 1830–1914]. Leuven: Universitaire Pers Leuven. ISBN 978-9-0586-7175-2.
External links
Media related to Belgian National Day at Wikimedia Commons