The joy of 5th May - Liberation Day

In contrast to the sombre mood of the previous day, today was Liberation Day in the Netherlands. A number of European nations celebrate Victory in Europe Day on 8 May but the Netherlands celebrates Liberation Day (Bevrijdingsdag) on 5 May. It commemorates the German army's surrender in the Netherlands on 5 May 1945 and the liberation of the country, just prior to the end of World War II in Europe.

Yesterday evening the flags were all at half mast. Today they were all flying proudly. This is a photo of a very ordinary street in Wassenaar. The scene was replicated everywhere with flags fluttering in many, many front gardens.