National Monument on Dam Square
Nationaal Monument op de Dam

This monument is a memorial to World War II.

The National Monument on Dam Square, also known as de Naald (the needle), is a 22-metres high pole that is created in memory of World War II. It was designed by J.J.P. Oud and was unveiled on 4 May 1956 by Queen Juliana.

The monument plays an important role every year on the 4th of May, where the Dutch have ‘Rememberance of the Dead’. This is when the whole country is silent for two minutes at 20:00, to remember the victims and all the horrible events that happened during the war.

On Dam square, at the monument, is where the main event takes place. The square is filled with people and they watch the King, the Prime Minister, people that survived the war and many more, put flower wreaths around the monument. The day after, on the 5th of May, is when the Dutch celebrate Liberation Day. During the whole upfollowing week you can see the flower wreaths around the monument.