Celebrating Dutch-American Friendship Day

April 19 marks Dutch-American Friendship Day, the anniversary of the day in 1782 when John Adams was received by the States General in the Hague and became America’s first ambassador to the Netherlands. Adams’ house at Fluwelen Burgwal 18 in the Hague became one of the first American embassies in the world.

As America’s first ambassador to the Netherlands, Adams signed in 1782 the first Treaty of Amity and Commerce between the Netherlands and the United States. This treaty was an important step in the United States’ efforts to take its rightful place in the world as a sovereign state. The treaty strengthened the economic ties that existed between the two nations since the 17^th century.

When President Ronald Reagan designated this day as Dutch-American Friendship Day in 1982, he explained that our relationship is “the United States’ longest unbroken, peaceful relationship with any foreign country.”

Our relationship remains strong today, as evidenced by our robust economic ties, our joint efforts in international- and NATO missions to make the world safer and more secure, and our cooperation in diplomacy, culture and innovation.

We celebrate the values that the US and the Netherlands have in common. We celebrate the 4.5 million Americans who have Dutch heritage. And we honor the sacrifices that the US has made to secure our freedom in the Netherlands.

Read the full proclamation by President Ronald Reagan.

(original post from https://nlintheusa.com/dutch-american-friendship-day/)