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Luxembourg National Day 2015
Despite Grand Duke Henri's actual birthday on April 16, traditionally, since 1961, Luxembourg's National Day is celebrated on June 23.
Since the 19th Century people in Luxembourg have celebrated their monarch's birthday. Before 1890, when Luxembourg got its own monarchy, the King of the Netherlands was automatically also Grand Duke of Luxembourg. In 1850, the official celebration of King William - or Guillaume - III's birthday, known as “Kinneksdag” (King's Day), was transferred from February to June 17, which was the birthday of his wife. The reason for the change was the proximity of the king's birthday to the day of his brother's death.
Under the reign of Grand Duchess Charlotte (1919- 1964) the celebration of the sovereign became an important patriotic public holiday. The “Groussherzoginsgebuertsdag” (Grand Duchess's birthday) was celebrated on January 23, the Grand Duchess's actual birthday, until 1961. Then it was decided to hold the festivities on June 23 to take advantage of the summer weather. Both the former Grand Duke Jean and the current Grand Duke Henri have held on to the June 23 holiday.
The celebrations, however, already begin the day before, when traditionally Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa visit a different town in Luxembourg each year. This year, the royal couple will travel to Mondorf-les-Bains.
On 23 June, cities host their own street party, with concerts, performances and fireworks.