The War

 One more view of that big bed of tulips to start the day.

Nearby, a bed with much less density of tulips, but appealing on its own merits.

Around a nearby raised bed of tulips are a series of panels that explore the origins of the Tulip Festival. It is a legacy of the Second World War. The Dutch Royal Family and the country itself sent tulips to Canada in gratitude for liberation, a tradition that continues to this day. When the festival was founded, the Canadian government began adding more tulips to the total, and it took off.

The occupation of the Netherlands by Nazi Germany during the war was particularly brutal.

Queen Wilhelmina spent the war in London, rallying her nation, assisted by her son-in-law Prince Bernhard. The Crown Princess, Juliana, was sent to Canada with her daughters for safety. She settled in Ottawa, and worked tirelessly to keep awareness of what was going on in Europe in the eyes of those in North America.

Her husband visited from time to time, and from that came a princess born in Ottawa. Princess Margriet was born at the Civic Hospital. The federal government at the time designated the maternity suite extraterritorial to ensure the baby's Dutch citizenship.

She was baptized at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Her father and grandmother came for the christening. She had numerous godparents, and the service was broadcast via Radio Orange to the Netherlands. The photographs in this panel were taken by Yousuf Karsh, the Armenian born photographer who had come to Canada and was making a name for himself as a portrait photographer. Karsh of Ottawa, as he was known, would become the pre-eminent portrait photographer of the 20th century.

The Canadian military was largely responsible for the liberation of the Netherlands, freeing the country from five years of occupation and ending the war. The Dutch were profoundly grateful, and the liberation resulted in one of the strongest friendships between countries one can think of.

Princess Margriet herself has often come back to Ottawa, making a point of meeting with Canadian veterans.