Queen's Birthday 1941 Batavia [Jakarta] 

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY 31 AUGUST 1941 - From 1891 till 1948 the Dutch Queen's Birthday was celebrated annually on the 31st of August. Also in Batavia/Jakarta, except of course in 1942, 1943 and 1944 during World War II. From 1945 till 1948 there were festivities but of a more sober character. Until 1941 the celebration of Queen Wilhelmina's birthday coincided with the annual Pasar Gambir on Koningsplein, now Medan Merdeka. Queen's Birthday 1941 was the last during the colonial era which was celebrated with lavish flag display, although with a strong focus on military display due to World War II in Europe, and the threatening Japanese aggression in Southeast Asia. In 1941, the Netherlands was occupied by Germany and Queen Wilhelmina lived in exile in London upon invitation of British King George VI. The video shows footage of the Queen's Birthday festivities in Batavia/Jakarta, with as a backdrop some lovely buildings which still exist in today's Jakarta. Turn on the sound to hear the commentary. [source: Institute of Sound and Vision, the Netherlands]