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The (Protestant) Dutch regime was not liked at all in Catholic regions. In 1830 war did break out. When the fighting started in September volunteers came to Brussels from all over Belgium and from abroad to help chase the Dutch away. And thanks to their heroic efforts Belgium won its independence. The square now called Place des Martyrs was a vegetable garden until the interments began in the evening of 27 September 1830 at the end of this last day of fighting in Brussels. The remains of 466 men killed in the fighting against the Dutch rest here. In 1831 a monument was built to honor these men. The whole site of the crypt and the Pro Patria monument was inaugurated on 24 September 1838. The Brussels Volunteers of 1830 are responsible for its upkeep.
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Western Europe
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image -- 1944 x 2592)