April 19 is Dutch-American Friendship Day, a day to celebrate the historic ties of the United States and the Netherlands.

While it is less well-known than Dutch-American Heritage Day on November 16, there are several events this week in the United States and the Netherlands .

Opening game Dayton Dutch Lions FC

The Dayton Dutch Lions FC will play their opening game of the season tonight against Charleston Battery in Bellbrook, OH, with an "All Things Dutch" kick-off event. Dayton Dutch Lions is a professional soccer club in Ohio supported by Dutch Eredivisie side FC Twente. Their jerseys are, of course, orange.

Other places that celebrate the event include the Zwaanendael Museum in Delaware and the American Business Club in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Special guest at the American Business Club will be Mrs. Fay Hartog-Levin, the US Ambassador to the Netherlands.

Dutch-American Friendship day was proclaimed by Congress in 2007. Read more about Dutch-American Friendship Day.

Dutch Heritage Month in Ontario, Canada

In related news: the Canadian province of Ontario proclaimed May to be Dutch Heritage Month a few weeks ago. From the bill:

By proclaiming the month of May as Dutch Heritage Month, the Province of Ontario recognizes the important contributions that Dutch Canadians have made to the economic, political, social and cultural fabric of Ontario’s society.

May is a historically significant month for the Dutch Canadian community. On May 5, 1945, the Canadian forces were instrumental in the liberation of the Netherlands from occupation during World War II. The Netherlands celebrates its independence and liberty, along with the heroic efforts of the Canadian forces, with a national holiday known as Liberation Day, which takes place annually on May 5.