On April 30, the Dutch celebrate Koninginnedag ("Queen's Day"),
a national holiday to commemorate the birthday of the country's
(former) Queen. It is by far the most widely celebrated holiday
in the Netherlands. Amsterdam festivities in particular rival
those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans or New Year's Eve in New York
City. As such, Amsterdam is packed to the gills on April 30,
welcoming up to two million party-going visitors. History of
Queen's Day The Dutch have been observing Queen's Day on April
30 since 1949, when the new Queen Juliana ascended the throne.
Before then, the holiday fell on August 31, the birthday of
Juliana's mother, former Queen Wilhelmina. When the current
Queen Beatrix succeeded Juliana in 1980, she chose to keep
Queen's Day on April 30, as Beatrix's own birthday is January
31, a date when Dutch weather isn't conducive to the many
outdoor activities associated with the holiday. Every year Queen
Beatrix visits one or two Dutch towns to greet her country's
people and visitors, who receive