The House of Representatives passes the Wiersma motion: The “Plakkaat van Verlatinghe” will be given a permanent home in the renovated Binnenhof
The Hague, 26 September 2026 – We are proud to announce that a major step has been taken toward better showcasing the Netherlands’ birth certificates. On September 22, the House of Representatives voted almost unanimously in favor of the motion by Femke Wiersma (BBB) to give the Act of Abjuration a “prominent, publicly accessible location” at the Binnenhof following its current renovation. See the full text of the motion at the bottom of this post.
Currently, the Plakkaat van Verlating, along with the Union of Utrecht, is on display at the National Archives as part of the permanent exhibition “Rebellion and Struggle” behind the reading room. This exhibition was established in 2020 in part due to lobbying by our foundation. Now it is time for the next step.
The immediate impetus for the Wiersma motion was the podcast series “A Different America,” which host Talitha Muusse and our chairman Geerten Waling produced this summer. In the month marking America’s 250th anniversary, they traveled to New York, Washington, D.C., and other locations on the East Coast.
Their four-part audio documentary explores the long lines of history, from the Declaration of Independence to the present day, and examines Americans’ unique approach to their past, citizenship, and national pride. The episodes were published by EW Magazine and are available for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
What now? If all goes well, the Binnenhof will be back in use in 2031. That is also the year in which the Act of Union will celebrate its 450th anniversary, allowing the Netherlands to celebrate 450 years of independence. It would be wonderful if, in that jubilee year, the birth certificate of the Netherlands could return to the place where it was signed on July 26, 1581.
Brainstorming with drinks
This timeline also requires something of us as a foundation: a reevaluation of our activities for the next five years. We have plenty of ideas of our own, but we’d also love to hear from you! That’s why we’re organizing a brainstorming get-together on Saturday, November 21, and we’d like to invite you to join us. Please mark the date in your calendar and register in advance using this form. We’ll provide more details soon.
Apology Lecture Canceled
The Apology Lecture on December 13 has been canceled, but don’t worry: in early 2027, we’ll launch a new annual event that will be even better and more exciting, if possible.
With independent regards,
Rein, Marishka, Herman, Daan, Jip & Geerten
The Board of the Dutch Independence Foundation
Full text of the Wiersma motion
Amended motion by Member Wiersma regarding the Plakkaat van Verlatinge in the renovated Binnenhof
The House,
having heard the deliberations,
noting that the Plakkaat van Verlatinge of 1581 is regarded as the Declaration of Independence of the Netherlands and constitutes a key document in the history of the formation of the Dutch state;
noting that the Plakkaat van Verlatinge was signed at the Binnenhof;
considering that the House itself, including through its Art Committee, decides which objects are to be displayed in the renovated House of Representatives building;
declares that the Plakkaat van Verlatinge should be given a permanent, prominent, and publicly accessible place in the renovated House of Representatives building;
and returns to the order of the day.