Luxembourg National Day

 

Luxembourg National Day is celebrated every year on June 23 to mark the official birthday of the ruler of Luxembourg. Did you know that Luxembourg was a part of the ancient Roman Empire and produced several Holy Roman Emperors? National Day of Luxembourg is usually a festive day in the city of Luxembourg. The celebration starts with a change of the guard at the Grand-Ducal palace on June 22, then a torchlight procession, open-air concerts, and fireworks. National Day of Luxembourg kickstarts with an official ceremony, a gun salute, a military parade, and the traditional Te Deum at the cathedral Notre Dame.

Although nowadays, June 23 is set as the Luxembourg National Day, the date has actually changed many times, The country has celebrated the sovereign’s birthday since the 18^th century and this tradition was maintained after Luxembourg became a sovereign state in 1815. The date on which Luxembourg celebrates its National Day has therefore changed with ever reign:

From 1816 onwards, the people of Luxembourg celebrated the anniversary of the birth of King Grand Duke William I on April 24.

Under William II, National Day was celebrated on December 6.

Under William III, the birthday was celebrated on June 17, and from 1860 onwards it changed to February 19.

After Grand Duke Adolphe’s ascension to the Throne in 1890, the National Day was on July 24.

Under Guillaume IV, it took place on April 22.

Under Mare-Adelaide, the festivities took place on June 14 from 1913 onwards.

When Grand Duchess Charlotte acceded the throne in 1919, 23 January became the National Day. In 1947, the day of the celebration of the Grand Duchess’ birthday was declared a public holiday.

The official day of celebrating the sovereign’s birthday was eventually changed to 23 June in 1961 by Grand Ducal order, which was maintained under the successive reigns of Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duke Henri. The term ‘National Day’ actually does not appear in any legal texts. It is referred to as ‘the day of the official celebration of the anniversary of the Grand Duke’s birth’. Luxembourgers commonly call it either ‘Groussherzogsgebuertsdag’(the birthday of the Grand Duke) or ‘Nationalfeierdag’ (National Day).