This is the Berlage bridge in Amsterdam which I pass very often on my way to my daughter who lives close by. It is a historical bridge because the liberation of Amsterdam, seventy years ago in May 1945, started here with the Canadian soldiers rolling in with their tanks and trucks.
Rumours had gone around they were coming and a huge crowd of excited people had been waiting to welcome our liberators. The Canadians have always been special for us since then. Many girls married a handsome Canadian soldier and emigrated to Canada as a niece of my mother did too. In the fifties many Dutch left our destroyed country and emigrated to Canada for a better life. I read a nice post of fellowblogger and Dutch/Canadian Rick de Zoete of "All Nature Sings" about his present in kindergarten at the celebration of 10 years liberation in the Netherlands before he emigrated to Canada. So today May 5th we celebrate our 70th liberation day.
Linking to "Our World Tuesday"
Happy Liberation Day, b!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenYou just made made me extra proud to be Canadian. Thank you.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWhat a fascinating contrast, thank you!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenIt was a beautiful day indeed and wonderful Dutch Peoples everywhere to celebrate this liberating day. Thank you for this lovely post Marianne. That photo speaks many words.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenWhat a wonderful photo of the Liberation day, and a wonderful welcome to the Canadian troops.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI love the comparison between the old and the new. What a joyous day it must have been for your country, mixed with the sadness of all that had happened and all the losses.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenIk sluit me aan bij de voorgaande commentaren. Mooi om dit contrast te zien.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenA wonderful celebration, Marianne. I love the old photo from 1945.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenLove the old black & white of this momentous occasion Marianne.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenVeterans here often told stories about how well they were treated by the dutch. Your photo shows how Canadians were welcomed. Dutch are still coming to this area. We hear Dutch spoken on the street .
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI watched the ceremonies on TV today with many very old Canadian soldiers having made the trip over there to remember and be in the parade. It was very touching to think back to those times. I have a very close friend who is Dutch and you are right there are a lot of them over here.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenMy grandparents on both sides immigrated after the war with all of their children- my parents were both old enough at war's end to have very clear memories. The memories of Canadian troops coming in really made the choice for them to immigrate here.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenLooking at your second photo the joy of liberation can be clearly observed
BeantwoordenVerwijderenA wonderful day to celebrate! I like seeing the old photograph along with the present day one.
BeantwoordenVerwijderenHappy Liberation day !
BeantwoordenVerwijderenSeems like a great reason and day to celebrate. Love the images.. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI also love the comparison of then and now. Great post and happy liberation day!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenCannot imagine the wildness of the greetings of the Canadians at that time, the feelings then and now of that historic day!
BeantwoordenVerwijderenI checked the link you provided…what a wonderful photographer and blog!!
BeantwoordenVerwijderen