Flag History from Google:
“The red stripe which was originally orange, along with the white and blue stripes, are based on the heraldic colors (coat of arms) of Prince William of Orange, who led the fight for Dutch independence. Netherlands Flag History: The Netherlands flag was adopted on February 19, 1937”
OFFICIAL NAME: Kingdom of the Netherlands. “Netherlands” means “low countries.”
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Constitutional Monarchy
CAPITAL: Amsterdam
POPULATION: 16,877,351
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Dutch
MONEY: Euro
Quick History of the Netherlands
“God made the Earth, but the Dutch made Holland.”
A.D. 1-1300
Under Roman rule until the fall of Rome then a strong Viking presence throughout the land.
Around 1250, the fisherman in Amsterdam built a dam creating a very successful trading port which began its true independence and success as a small country.
1300-1500
Amsterdam was a bustling port which in turn created a growing economy including banking and loans. At this time, The Netherlands was ruled by Dukes of Burgundy which is today’s Belgium.
1500s
Tensions between Protestants and Catholics spread throughout Europe including the Netherlands.
1566
William of Orange rallies the Dutch and becomes father of his country–the current king is a descendant from William.
1568-1648
Eighty Years War (Dutch War of Independence)
Dutch eventually drive the Spanish out of their country
Between 1588 and 1795, the area currently representing the Netherlands was the Republic of Seven United Netherlands.
1600s
Holland’s Golden Age
The Dutch people’s nautical and capitalist skills combined turned Amsterdam–population 100,000– into the world’s wealthiest city.
Think…Rembrandt, and philosopher Rene Descartes (“I think, therefore I am”), plus many different religious sects and a bustling Jewish Quarter.
Delft was thriving as a textile and beer export city.
1689
France and England control the seas and basically put the Netherlands out of business.
1700s
The Dutch barely survive as bankers, small manufacturers, and craftsmen of luxury goods. In 1795, French troops occupy and Napoleon Bonaparte proclaims his brother, Louis Napoleon, to be King of Holland.
1800s
After Napoleon’s defeat, Europe’s nobles decide that Low Countries should be a monarchy, ruled jointly by a Dutch prince-who becomes King William I. The Netherlands and Belgium split during this time as well. In 1876, the North Sea Canal opens bringing life and trade back into Amsterdam’s port.
What is the difference between the Netherlands and Holland??!!
The Netherlands remained a kingdom after Napoleon’s defeat. At that time, the area called “Holland” made the biggest contribution to the entire nation’s economy and wealth. As such it became the commonly used name to indicate the entire country. The country is sometimes called Holland, but the name only applies to two provinces, North and South Holland, which border the North Sea in Amsterdam and The Hague.
1839
Belgium and the Netherlands became independent and Luxembourg became independent in 1890.
1883
Amsterdam hosts the World Exhibition that attracts three million visitors
1914-1918
The Netherlands maintains its neutrality during World War I
1922
Dutch women get the vote
1939
At the outbreak of WWII, the Netherlands declared neutrality
1940
During WWII, Germany occupied the Netherlands for five years and killed many people who resisted the Germans or tried to help the Dutch Jews.
2002
Euro replaces the Dutch guilder
I’m getting a refresher before I head off to Amsterdam tonight!
Much love xo K