National Day of Belgium (21/07)

National Day of Belgium (Dutch). Nationale feestdag van België, fr. Fête nationale belge, German. Belgischer Nationalfeiertag) – The country's main holiday – has been celebrated annually on July 21, since 1890, in honor of a significant date.

On this day in 1831, as a result of elections, Leopold of Saxe-Coburg ascended the royal throne. The new king Leopold I took the oath of allegiance to the country's Constitution to the Belgian parliament.

In November 1830, elections to the National Congress took place. The result of the congress was the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of Belgium and the Constitution of the country. In February 1831, Belgium was declared a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliament.

The question of who would be the king of Belgium became the subject of widespread international discussion and diplomatic battles (a conference of ambassadors was even convened in London). The National Congress elected the son of the French king, Louis Philippe, as king. The loud protests of the British that followed this decision led to Leopold I becoming king.

Currently, festive and ceremonial events in honor of the National Day are taking place throughout the country. Belgians highly honor this day of the calendar. The largest celebrations, of course, take place in Brussels, among which the most striking – is the grandiose military parade (Grand Dance), which takes place on Palace Square after the traditional solemn address to the people of the King of Belgium.

In his speech, the monarch (currently, since 2013, – is King Philip) congratulates his subjects on the memorable date and calls on them to unite to preserve the integrity and greatness of the state.

After the parade, the streets of the capital are filled with crowds of Belgians and tourists, music is played everywhere and musical groups, dance and theater troupes perform. Also on this day, many state museums and historical monuments can be visited completely free of charge, including the – Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Royal Museum of History and Art, and even the – Royal Palace and the Belgian Parliament. The holiday ends, according to tradition, with a grandiose fireworks display.

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