This Dutch Revolt was a response to Spain’s religious policies imposed on the Protestant Dutch. Charles V and his son Phillip II both used their military to enforce their theological impositions. This war also came to be known as the Dutch War of Independence.
On this day May 23rd, in 1568, the Netherlands declares its independence from Spain. Today the Battle of Heiligeree was fought; this was the first military victory for the Dutch. Where 1500-200 Spanish were killed, while only 50 Dutchmen were killed.
What makes the Netherlands unique is that 25% of it is below sea level, and 21% of its population lives below sea level – that’s one way to beat UV burns. The Netherlands is bordered by Germany, Belgium and the North Sea. A 2012 estimate puts the population at almost 17 million. In 2010 the Netherlands lost the World Cup to Spain, an irony considering all the two countries have been through.