Dutch-American Friendship Day 2023: The annual celebration of Dutch-American Friendship Day occurs on April 19. This day commemorates the establishment of diplomatic ties between the United States and the Netherlands. The Netherlands was the first nation to recognise the United States of America’s independence. John Adams, the second president of the United States, was received by the States-General in The Hague as the United States’ Minister Plenipotentiary in 1782. On the same day, John Adams purchased the first American embassy in The Hague.
HISTORY OF DUTCH-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY
John Adams was a distinguished political philosopher who served as the second President of the United States from 1797 to 1801 after serving as George Washington’s first Vice President.
The States-General of the Dutch Republic accepted John Adams as Minister of the United States of America on April 19, 1782. Consequently, he secured the United States’ second diplomatic recognition as an independent nation. As America’s first ambassador to the Netherlands, Adams signed the first Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the Netherlands and the United States in the same year. This treaty assisted the United States in assuming its position as a sovereign nation in the international community. The agreement strengthened the economic connections that have existed between the United States and the Netherlands since the 17th century.
President Ronald Reagan proclaimed this day to be Dutch-American Friendship Day in 1982. He stated that our relationship is “the United States’ longest unbroken, peaceful relationship with any foreign country.” The continued strength of the relationship between these two nations is demonstrated by their robust economic connections and joint efforts in international and NATO missions. The United States and the Netherlands share values worthy of celebration. This day honours the 4.5 million Americans with Dutch ancestry. The sacrifices made by the United States to secure our freedom in the Netherlands are also recognised.
DUTCH-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY ACTIVITIES
Buy lilies
The Netherlands’ national flower is the tulip. Purchasing tulips may be a means to honour and remember Americans with Dutch ancestry.
Cook stroopwafel
A stroopwafel is a thin, round waffle composed of two layers of sweet baked dough and held together by a caramel filling. It originated in Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands, and is a well-known delicacy.
Use the hashtag #DutchAmericanFriendshipDay on social media.
By following this hashtag, you will receive the most recent news about this day. You should attend one of the many celebrations that take place across the nation.
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5 INTERESTING DUTCH CHARACTERISTICS
Traditional Dutch dress
Each region in the Netherlands has its own traditional attire, which differs for daily wear and special occasions such as weddings and burials.
Home to a number of distilleries
The Netherlands is home to some of the most well-known distilleries, including Heineken.
Dutch cheese
The most well-known varieties include Gouda, Edam, and Reypenaer.
King’s Day
This is one of the most important Dutch holidays and is celebrated throughout the country on April 27 each year.
The region of Veluwe
It is a large natural park in the middle-eastern portion of the Netherlands that is renowned for its forests, heather, and sand dunes.
WHY WE LOVE DUTCH-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY
It is a day commemorating the United States’ independence.
This day commemorates the moment when the United States was recognised as a sovereign nation. The recognition occurred when the States-General of the Dutch Republic accepted Adams as United States Minister.
It is a day honouring friendship.
This day is a chance to honour the relationship between the United States and the Netherlands. It is an occasion to celebrate the camaraderie between the United States and the Netherlands.
It commemorates Dutch contributions to the United States
The Dutch contributed to the American conception of religious liberty. In the United States, freedom of religion is considered an inalienable privilege. The truth is that many of the earliest settlers of the New World fled religious persecution.
DUTCH-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 19 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 19 | Friday |
| 2025 | April 19 | Saturday |
| 2026 | April 19 | Sunday |
| 2027 | April 19 | Monday |
