Historica Canada’s latest Heritage Minute commemorates Canada’s role in the liberation of the Netherlands 75 years ago. Released yesterday, the video tells the story of Canadian soldier Lt. Wilfred Gildersleeve of the Seaforth Highlanders, who met his eventual wife, Dutch civilian Marguerite Blaisse, during a parade in Amsterdam two days later that was meant to celebrate the country’s liberation.
On May 5, 1945, Canadian troops were among several Allied nations who helped to liberate the Netherlands from Nazi occupation following six months of fighting in the region. May 5 is a national holiday in the Netherlands known as “Liberation Day.”
The video is a symbol of the special relationship Canada and the Netherlands have shared since the liberation.
