Moment 1: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the southern Netherlands12 September marks the start of the national celebration of 80 years of freedom. On this day in 1944, the liberation of the Netherlands began in Mesch in Limburg. Zeeland, Brabant and part of Gelderland soon followed. The liberation was accompanied by fierce fighting, many casualties and a winter of famine. Eventually, the whole of the Netherlands was liberated on 5 May 1945. A few months later, on 15 August of that same year, World War II came to an end in what was then the Dutch East Indies and thus the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 2024 and 2025, we will celebrate and commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and the fact that we have been living in freedom since the end of World War II.&nbsp;Moment 2: Commemorating the HolocaustDuring World War II (1940-1945), the Nazis murdered nearly 6 million Jews. They also persecuted and murdered Roma and Sinti, Jehovah’s Witnesses, people with physical or mental disabilities, homosexuals and political opponents. In January, we reflect on these victims.&nbsp;We commemorate their persecution and murder 80 years ago. We will do so on 26 January, during the National Holocaust Remembrance Day in Amsterdam, as well as on other occasions.&nbsp;Moment 3: Commemorating and celebrating the liberation of the east and north of the NetherlandsEighty years ago, in April 1945, allied soldiers advanced towards the north and east of the Netherlands to also liberate the provinces of South Holland, North Holland, Utrecht, Overijssel, Drenthe, Friesland and Groningen. While the south of the Netherlands had already been liberated, the occupied part of the country had to endure a long, hard winter of famine. Partly with the help of the resistance, mainly Canadian soldiers managed to liberate large parts of the country.&nbsp;Moment 4: National Remembrance and Liberation Celebration on 4 and 5 MayEvey year during the National Remembrance Day on 4 May, we remember the victims of World War II and of war situations and peacekeeping operations thereafter. At 8pm, there will be a 2-minute moment of silence throughout the Netherlands. On 5 May, we celebrate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945 and the fact that we have been living in freedom ever since.&nbsp;On that day, we also reflect on the value of freedom, democracy and human rights.&nbsp;Moment 5: Commemorating and celebrating the end of World War IIOn 15 August, we remember the end of World War II for the Kingdom of the Netherlands and commemorate all the victims of the war against Japan and the Japanese occupation of the then Dutch East Indies. These wartime experiences and the large-scale displacement that followed after liberation continue to affect our society to this day.

The Netherlands

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

Poland

Gedenktag an der Festung Kostrzyn 

Le public pourra saluer et acclamer le convoi lors de son passage dans les différentes communes !<ul><li>Départ du Parc des Expositions de Colmar,&nbsp;8h45.</li><li>Houssen,&nbsp;9h.</li><li>Monument Audie Murphy,&nbsp;9h15.</li><li>Holtzwihr,&nbsp;9h20.</li><li>Wickerschwihr,&nbsp;9h30.</li><li>Riedwihr,&nbsp;9h40.</li><li>Grussenheim,&nbsp;9h50.</li><li>Jebsheim,&nbsp;10h.</li><li>Muntzenheim,&nbsp;10h10.</li><li>Bischwihr,&nbsp;10h25.</li><li>Fortschwihr,&nbsp;10h35.</li><li>Urschenheim,&nbsp;10h45.</li><li>Widensolen,&nbsp;10h55.</li><li>Horbourg-Wihr,&nbsp;11h15.</li><li>Andolsheim,&nbsp;11h30.</li><li>Sundhoffen,&nbsp;11h40.</li><li>Sainte-Croix-En-Plaine,&nbsp;13h15.</li><li>Herrlisheim,&nbsp;13h30.</li><li>Wettolsheim,&nbsp;13h40.</li><li>Wintzenheim,&nbsp;13h50.</li><li>Walbach,&nbsp;14h05.</li><li>Zimmerbach,&nbsp;14h20.</li><li>Turckheim,&nbsp;14h40.</li><li>Niedermorschwihr,&nbsp;14h55.</li><li>Ingersheim,&nbsp;15h10.</li><li>Sigolsheim,&nbsp;15h40.</li><li>Retour au Parc des Expositions de Colmar,&nbsp;16h10.</li></ul>

France

Le défilé de la Liberté

<h3 style="text-align: start">LES FESTIVITÉS EN 2025</h3>Les festivités se poursuivent en 2025 pour commémorer la deuxième Libération de Haguenau le 16 mars 1945.→ Samedi 8 – Dimanche 9 février IUT de Haguenau | 30 Rue du Maire André Traband, Haguenau Colloque d’histoire « Les horreurs de la guerre à la source créatrice de l’Europe » organisé par la SHAH.Plus précisément, trois thématiques seront abordées durant ce week-end :<ul><li>« De la guerre totale à la Libération de Haguenau »</li><li>« Les dimensions racistes d’une guerre totale »</li><li>« De la guerre à la construction de l’Europe »</li></ul>→ Samedi 15 – Dimanche 16 mars Week-end de commémorations et de festivitésPendant deux jours, Haguenau fera un bond dans le passé avec :<ul><li>Une reconstitution d’un camp américain devant la Halle aux Houblons</li><li>Des visites guidées des lieux emblématiques de la Libération</li><li>Des temps de commémoration avec prise d’armes et défilé</li><li>Un concert militaire à la Halle aux Houblons</li><li>Une exposition de cartes postales d’époque et de dessins d’élèves</li><li>Le grand bal de la Libération : avec costumes et musique d’époque</li></ul>

80e anniversaire de la Libération de HAGUENAU

In the municipality of Geldrop – Mierlo, the official ceremony is held at the British War Cemetery. In collaboration with the Municipality and the Oranje Committee Mierlo, the “De Drie Harten” foundation organizes the commemoration at the British War Cemetery on Geldropseweg. During this event, not only are those who fell during World War II remembered, but also those who continue to fight for peace today. Thanks to the contributions of the mayor, a representative of the municipal council, clergy, scouting groups, musical bands, choirs, the Guilds of Geldrop-Mierlo, and speakers, a solemn commemoration takes place every year.

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

As part of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge:From 10am in Rensiwez: Commemoration and re-enactment of the JUNCTION in Rensiwez (re-enactors from Vellereux and Bastogne Barracks) and Remembrance Ceremony.Square Janvier ‘45 in Houffalize: Military band, parade of the authorities (Embassies) in rue de Schaerbeek, inauguration of the Barrack Museum + inauguration of the graphic decoration of the arches of the memorial site, popular aperitif.

Belgium 

Commemorations of the liberation of Houffalize

In 2025 we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II (1945-2025). This is why the Historical Research Group of the Rhineland-Palatinate Germany/IG Heimatforschung Rheinland-Pfalz, decided to initiate a special memorial march for all soldiers of World War II in 2025. For soldiers of all nationalities, whether male or female, whether Allied or belonging to the Axis powers: everyone fought for their country, everyone had a family, everyone made great sacrifices. No one will be forgotten! Enemies then, friends today! This is a Remembrance march in the name of international understanding.This 100km remembrance march will be executed as so-called "semi-tactical evasion march", with almost no water, food or gear, except your evasion/survival kit (survival ration, water filter etc.).Many aircraft crews who parachuted out of their aircraft found themselves behind enemy lines after their plane was shot down. Those who could, tried to “fight” (and walk) their way back to their own lines. Their route was almost always long, full of adversities and hardship.The start of the World war II Escape Evasion &amp; Remembrance March is at the crash site of an English bomber that crashed in World War II near Ludwigshafen am Rhein. Only one crew member survived the crash by means of parachute. After the crash site was examined by the IG Heimatforschung, a memorial stone was erected there on September 23, 2023. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ig-heimatforschung.de/projekte-allg/world-war-ii-memorial-project/">World War II Memorial Project - IG-Heimatforschung Rheinland-Pfalz / Historical Research Community Rhineland-Palatinate Germany</a>The finish will be in Lauterbourg, France (allied lines in 1945)During the march there will be ten checkpoints/coordinates that will lead past Allied, German and French memorials (e.g. various Allied plane crash sites, the former Rheinwiesenlager near Ludwigshafen, the former battlefield in the Bienwald, etc.). At the memorial sites, there is time to pause and pay due respect to the victims before continuing on to the French border. The checkpoints and planned route will be made available to participants via the Komoot hiking app (link) for download and navigation on your cell phones, so that the planned route can be navigated very easily. Additional navigation aids are optional.This 100km march must be completed within 24 hours (similar to well-known 100km marches such as the 100km Totenkopfmarsch/Dodentocht in Belgium, the Mammutmarsch in Germany, etc.). No problem for anyone without physical disabilities. The main thing is to train and prepare.If you have two legs and the right attitude, you can do it.Surprise yourself and your friends. And grow with your progress! If you manage the 100km within 24 hours, nothing else can stop you! Believe in yourself! 100km are hard? Fighting in war is hard! Maybe you can imagine what the men, women and families experienced back then, but only to a certain extent. Show them the respect they deserve by taking part in this march. Leave your comfort zone for just one day and push yourself to the limit!Do you have what it takes to be a 100km Long Distance Evader?Pain is temporary. Pride is forever!Follow the link for more details: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ig-heimatforschung.de/projekte-allg/100km-24-std-world-war-ii-escape-evasion-remembrance-march/">https://www.ig-heimatforschung.de/projekte-allg/100km-24-std-world-war-ii-escape-evasion-remembrance-march/</a>

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

Gedenktag an der Festung Kostrzyn

Le défilé de la Liberté

80e anniversaire de la Libération de HAGUENAU

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

Commemorations of the liberation of Houffalize

100k/24h Escape Evasion & Remembrance March - 100km/62 miles from Germany to France!

Register your event on Europe Remembers

Date

Country

Type of event

80 years of freedom in 5 moments

Gedenktag an der Festung Kostrzyn

Le défilé de la Liberté

80e anniversaire de la Libération de HAGUENAU

Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day)

Commemorations of the liberation of Houffalize

100k/24h Escape Evasion & Remembrance March - 100km/62 miles from Germany to France!

Register your event on Europe Remembers