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These years see the rise of the Dutch Nazi Party under Anton Mussert; they also see waves of Jewish immigration from Hitler’s Germany.

Despite Dutch neutrality, Germany invaded Holland in May 1940. With the deportation of Jews to concentration camps from 1942 onwards, the Dutch Resistance became active and underground newspapers thrived. Canadian troops liberated Amsterdam on 5 May 1945.

In February, nine months into the German Occupation, the dockworkers strike in protest at the arrest and round-up of 450 Jews.

The deportation of the Jews to Nazi death camps begins. Many Jews, including Anne Frank’s family, go into hiding. Of the 80,000 living in pre-war Amsterdam, only 5,000 will survive the war.

Amsterdam is liberated by Canadian troops on 5 May.

Anne Frank’s diary is published (see Anne Frankhuis).

Violent protests break out against the destruction of the Jodenbuurt – the old Jewish Quarter – in the Nieuwmarkt.

On 2 February 2002, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander married Máxima Zorreguieta in the Nieuwe Kerk, followed by a reception in the Koninklijke Paleis. After a difficult start, due to her father’s involvement with the Videla regime in Argentina, Máxima won the hearts of the Dutch public.

In search of trade routes to South America, Tasman (1603–c.1659) discovered Tasmania and New Zealand.

Football fans will want to pay their respects to the brilliant Ajax club at their impressive new stadium, Amsterdam ArenA. Visit the interactive museum, which brings the club and its greatest moments to life, and tour the state-of- the- art 50,000-seat stadium. There are usually six tours a day in summer, four in winter, except on event days; phone ahead for times.