The Netherlands declared its independence from Spain on 26 July 1581 with the signing by the States General of the ‘Act Abjuration’. This Act, by which the States General ‘abandoned’ the King of Spain as landlord, can be seen as the Dutch Declaration of Independence, making it the first of its kind worldwide.

The Act has all the ethos, logos and pathos that characterises such declarations - and especially the American Declaration of Independence of 1776. Its appeal to modern principles such as popular sovereignty and freedom of conscience makes the Act a unique forerunner of its kind.

The Dutch Independence Foundation therefore considers 26 July to be Dutch Independence Day.