French Community Holiday

This holiday is held only in the French Community of Belgium. The date was chosen by them after an important episode in the Belgian Revolution from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. This erupted on the night of 25th August 1830 following a performance of the patriotic opera La Muette de Portici, which caused a riot and the crowd to take possession of government buildings. King William I attempted to restore the establishment order by force, but the royal army under Prince Frederik was unable to retake Brussels in street fighting on 23rd to 26th September. A provisional government was declared in Brussels on 26th September, and during that night the Dutch troops retreated. On 24th June 1975 this date was chosen and first celebrated later that year. All schools are closed for the holiday, with the festival being celebrated with many free concerts featuring francophone acts.