May 4 is the traditional wreath laying in the Dam Square in Amsterdam. At 8:00 pm there are two minutes of silence in the country. This is in remembrance of the surrender of the country to Germany in 1940, and the consequential death of many victims of the oppression. The royal family walks the short distance from the palace on Dam Square to the large war memorial. The Queen lays the first wreath. All the members of parliament, the burgermaster of Amsterdam, and notables are there to participate.