Today, Luxembourg's National Day, also known as "Groussherzogsgebuertsdag" or "Nationalfeierdag," is celebrated on 23 June in honour of the Grand Duke's birthday. But did you know that this hasn't always been the case? And that the Grand Duke was born on 16 April 1955? So, why is Luxembourg's National Day celebrated on 23 June? Don’t worry, Moovijob.com is here to shed some light on the subject!
A shifting date
Since the 18th century, National Day has been held on the birthday of the Grand-Ducal sovereign. The date has changed seven times over the past two centuries.
In 1816, the birthday of King-Grand-Duke William I was celebrated on 24 April. Later, under William II, the celebration took place on 6 December. Under William III, the birthday celebration was set to 17 June, later changed to 19 February from 1860 onwards. In 1890, following the ascension of Grand Duke Adolphe to the throne, the celebration was moved to 24 July. Under William IV, it was celebrated on 22 April, then changed to 14 June in 1913 under Marie-Adélaïde. In 1919, when Grand Duchess Charlotte ascended to the throne, the celebration was set for 23 January. This holiday will later be declared an official public holiday in Luxembourg in 1947.
It was on 23 December 1961 that a Grand-Ducal decree set the official date for the birthday celebration to 23 June. This new date wasn’t chosen to coincide with a sovereign's birthday, but rather for purely meteorological reasons: it is easier and more enjoyable to hold festivities in pleasant weather than in the rain.
Two days of festivities
The festivities begin the day before, on 22 June at 4pm, with the changing of the traditional guard in front of the Grand Ducal Palace. This is followed by the country's biggest popular festival, the "Fakelzuch" (torchlight procession), a procession in which national and local associations parade through Luxembourg City past Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. At 11pm, the sky lights up with fireworks fired over the Pont Adolphe.
The 23 June programme begins at 10am with an official ceremony at the Philharmonie. The Grand Ducal family is present, along with other important political figures. This event is also an opportunity to award decorations to deserving Luxembourgers. After this ceremony, 21 cannon shots are fired in honour of the Grand Duke.
At 12pm, the military review begins, followed by a military parade along Avenue de la Liberté. The parade includes representatives from the Army, the police, customs, the Grand-Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps, the prison service, the Red Cross, and musical groups from the Union Grand-Duc Adolphe. It is also an opportunity to witness Luxembourg's military aircraft flying over the parade at low altitude.
Finally, the day concludes with the traditional Te Deum at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg.
Although the date no longer has anything to do with the Grand Duke’s birthday, the official text still refers to 23 June as "the day of the official celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the Grand Duke."
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