The National Day of Belgium is 21st July (Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld takes the oath as first king of the Belgians in 1831). This day also known by the locals as the Belgian National Holiday which is celebrated annually on the 21st July. It marks the anniversary of the ascension to the throne of King Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians in 1831.
National Day of Belgium
So who is King Leopold I. Well he was the first King of the Belgians. As we know now that he ascended to the throne on the 21st July 1831. We know that he was born on the 16th December 1790, in Coburg, Germany. He was a member of the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha family.
Likewise in 1830, the Belgian Revolution broke out, leading to the separation of Belgium from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. A National Congress was held to draft a constitution and choose a new king for Belgium. King Leopold I was elected as the first monarch of independent Belgium and took the oath of office on the 21st July 1831.
See also the National Day of Belarus as well as the National Day of Azerbaijan as well as the National Day of Burundi.
Public Holidays in Belgium
Firstly these public holidays include:
- New Year’s Day – January 1st
- Easter Monday – the Monday following Easter Sunday
- Labor Day – May 1st
- Ascension Day – 40 days after Easter Sunday
- Whit Monday – the day after Pentecost, 50 days after Easter Sunday
- Belgian National Day – July 21st
- Assumption Day – August 15th
- All Saints’ Day – November 1st
- Armistice Day – November 11th
- Christmas Day – December 25th
In addition to these public holidays, there are also several regional holiday.
