THE CELEBRATION OF THE ANNIVERSARY BY 

 THE DUTCH ON FEBRUARY 28th, 1917. 



By Fred Oudschans Dentz. 



February 27th, was memorable in the annals of Surinam as being its 

 250th anniversary as a Dutch Colony. It was wrested from England by 

 the Netherlands and with the exception of three short intervals (8 Oct., 

 1667-lst May, 1668, 1799-1802 and 1804-1816) it has remained in 

 Dutch possession for two and a half centuries. 



The day was celebrated on February 28th ( ' ) as Abraham Crynssen 

 day, a national festival ; the schools were closed and the Government 

 offices, as far as possible, at midday. A special number of the Govern- 

 ment " Gazette " was published containing a proclamation from Governor 

 Staal to the inhabitants : 



" Proclamation on the occasion of the two and a half centuries of 



Union between the Netherlands and Surinam. 

 " Fellow inhabitants of Surinam. 



" To-day, February 28th, we commemorate the day on which, two and 

 a half centuries ago, Commodore Abraham Crynssen landed in Surinam and 

 planted the Royal flag of the House of Orange, on the spot which since 

 that date has borne the name of ' Fort Zeelandia.' 



Surinam has been united with the Netherlands for two hundred and 

 fifty years and although history mentions one or two periods during 

 which the tie was temporarily broken, we know that no disagreement 

 was the cause of these ruptures. 



" A bond of two and a half centuries creates a union. During these 

 long years there has been a welding together of the Netherlands and 

 Surinam. 



" The very serious circumstances through which the whole world is 

 passing prevent us from celebrating the day with great festivities. But 

 the flags are flying and our hearts rejoice. Let us greet Her under 

 whose bleased rule we are enabled to celebrate the day in peace. On 

 the invitation of the Colonial Parliament, I have to-day despatched a 

 telegram to our honoured and beloved Queen in which I have presented 

 to her the homage and congratulations of the inhabitants, at the same 

 time assuring her of the feelings of sincere love, fidelity and dependence 

 which continue to animate her subjects in this colony. 



(1) There is an error in this date. The " Willoujrhby fort " surrendered on Sunday, 

 February 27th, and the Dutch called it henceforth fort " Zeelandia." General Bvam handed 

 the Colony of Surinam over on March 8th, 



I have pointed out in Dutch papers and journals that even several historians use a 

 wrong- date of Suriname's capitulation and careful examination of Dutch and British sources 

 prove that Paramaribo surrendered on February 27th, 16t>7. 



