Koningsdag

Koningsdag (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈkoːnɪŋzdɑx] ) or King's day is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Celebrated on 27 April (or, if that is a Sunday, on the 26th), the date marks the birth of King Willem-Alexander. When the Dutch monarch is female, the holiday is known as Koninginnedag ([ˌkoːnɪŋˈɪnədɑx] ) or Queensday and, under Queen Beatrix until 2013, was celebrated on 30 April. She prolonged the tradition that was born under her mother's reign: Queen Juliana's birthday was on 30 April. The holiday was initially observed on 31 August 1885 as Prinsessedag or Princessday, the fifth birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, then heir presumptive to the Dutch throne. On her accession in November 1890 the holiday acquired the name Koninginnedag, first celebrated on 31 August 1891. In September 1948, her daughter Juliana ascended to the throne and the holiday was moved to her birthday, 30 April. The holiday was celebrated on this date from 1949. Juliana's daughter, Beatrix, retained the celebration on 30 April upon her ascent to the throne in 1980, because her birthday was on 31 January, the middle of winter. Beatrix did alter her mother's custom of receiving a floral parade at Soestdijk Palace, instead choosing to visit different Dutch towns each year and join in the festivities with her children. Queen Beatrix abdicated on Queensday 2013, and her son, Willem-Alexander, ascended the throne (the first king since the observance of the national holiday). As a result, the holiday became known as Koningsdag from 2014 on, and the celebration was moved to 27 April, Willem-Alexander's birthday. Koningsdag is known for its nationwide vrijmarkt ('freemarket'), at which the Dutch sell their used items. It is also an opportunity for "orangecraze" or oranjegekte, a kind of frenzy named after the Netherlands' national colour.