Februaristaking Monument (February Strike Monument), Zaandam

The February Strike Monument in Zaandam, located within the municipality of Zaanstad, commemorates the historic events of the February strike that took place on February 25th and 26th in the year 1941. This strike originally began in Amsterdam and subsequently spread to various locations, including the Zaanstreek region, Haarlem, Velsen, Weesp, Hilversum, and the city of Utrecht. It marked a significant turning point in Dutch history as the first large-scale resistance action against the German occupiers during World War II. Importantly, it also stood as the sole massive and public protest against the persecution of Jews in occupied Europe during that time.

The catalyst for the strike was the initial wave of arrests targeting hundreds of Jewish men in Amsterdam. The illegal Communist Party of the Netherlands (CPN) played a pivotal role in initiating and organizing this strike, rallying people under the motto 'STRIKE!!! STRESS!!! STRESS!!!'

The 'February strike' monument in Zaandam consists of a small bronze group of statues. Within this group, one of the figures is depicted carrying a bicycle. These statues are prominently placed on the balustrade of the Wilhelminasluis, a canal lock. Below the statue, a bronze memorial plaque is affixed to the wall. The group of statues measures 50 centimeters in height, 70 centimeters in width, and 40 centimeters in depth.

This monument serves as a poignant reminder of the courageous actions taken by ordinary citizens during a critical period in Dutch history, standing up against oppression and persecution in defense of human rights and dignity.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Zaandam. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Sight Name: Februaristaking Monument (February Strike Monument)
Sight Location: Zaandam, Netherlands (See walking tours in Zaandam)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Zaandam Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Zaandam, Netherlands

Create Your Own Walk in Zaandam

Creating your own self-guided walk in Zaandam is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Windmills Village Walk

Windmills Village, or Zaanse Schans, as it's known locally, is a truly unique place in the Netherlands. In this quaint location, packed to the brim with postcard-perfect wooden houses, windmills, and barns, one can easily experience what life was like in the country back in the 1850s.

Among the village's top highlights is the Museum of the Dutch Clock. Home to a stunning collection of... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles

Zaandam Introduction Walking Tour

Although historically significant as such, Zaandam, a charming old town on the banks of the Zaan River in the northwestern part of the Netherlands, does not have the same level of worldwide recognition as some larger cities. Despite its close proximity to Amsterdam, Zaandam has a plethora of tourist attractions of its own, readily available for those who seek them.

The name "Zaandam"... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles

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