Candlelight ceremonies began in the Netherlands to show thanks and to honour those who liberated the country and its people from German occupation during the Second World War.
In 1995 the people of the Netherlands held a special ceremony to commemorate their liberation by Canadian forces fifty years earlier. Dutch children placed lit candles on the graves of Canadian soldiers and the candles remained lit overnight in silent tribute. Residents were drawn to the cemeteries by the soft red glow of the candles burning in the dark.
As a result, commemorative candlelight tributes have now become annual ceremonies in the Netherland and other European countries.
Similar tributes take place in Canada both public and private cemeteries and in Yorkton, at the cenotaph.
