21 July : National Day of Belgium

On 21 July , the National Day of Belgium is celebrated, especially in
Brussels, Belgium.

Royal Palace of Belgium

21 July 2018 remarks the special celebration of King Philippe of the Belgians,
who sat then exactly 5 years on the throne.

King Philippe of the Belgians - screenshot taken in 2013

King Philippe, Queen Mathilde and some of their children, screenshot taken in 2017

On 20 July , King Philippe of the Belgians makes his annual speech
on the occasion of the National Day.

On 20 July, there is a concert in the Bozar in Brussels. This is attended
by King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz.
Afterwards there is a Bal National in the "Vossenplein" at Brussels.

Bozar Brussels, Belgium, own picture

Bozar Brussels, Belgium, own picture

On 21 July , the days starts early with a Te Deum, which takes place in
the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula.

St. Michael and St. Gudula cathedral, Brussels

On 21 July , there always is a defilé, which shows a lot from the
military services in Belgium.

In the evening a beautiful fireworks is shown in front of the Royal Palace
in Brussels.

History

21 July remembered 21 July 1831, when King Leopold I of the Belgians
swore allegiance to the new Belgian constitution.

The National Day is celebrated on 21 July since 1890.

Nowadays

Although the National day mostly is celebrated in Brussels, the capital of
Belgium, all the shops, supermarkets etc. in Belgium are closed. This is an
official holiday for the Belgians.