Embassy of the United States

High U.S. decoration for Dutch Air Force Colonel
October 29 October 29 - Ambassador Fay Hartog Levin handed the “Legion of Merit” to Colonel Jaap Reijling, for his large contribution to improving U.S.-Dutch relations.

Obama Advisor at Opening of Leiden University Islam Study Center
October 14 Dalia Mogahed, member of the interreligious advisory Council of President Obama, was one of the keynote speakers at a conference on “Islam, Science and Policy” in Leiden.

Ambassador Morningstar explains U.S energy policy
October 9 The Clingendael International Energy Program hosted a conference, in honor of Ambassador Richard Morningstar, the U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy.

Ambassador Hartog Levin’s provincial visit to Gelderland
October 9 During her first provincial visit to the Province of Gelderland, Ambassador Hartog Levin and her husband visited Nijmegen. She started off with a visit to the American Company Mead Johnson Nutrition, which is one of the 1600 American companies which have operations in the Netherlands.

Dutch Association of Advertisers celebrates its 90th birthday
October 1 The Dutch Association of Advertisers (BVA) organized its 90th birthday in the historic RAC halls in The Hague with the theme: “BVA 90 years: advertisers take their responsibility”.

Ambassador Hartog Levin opens Sally Mann Photo Exhibition
September 24 Ambassador Fay Hartog Levin opened a photo exhibit of American photographer Sally Mann called “The Family and the Land” at The Hague Museum of Photography.

Op-Ed by Ambassador Hartog Levin on Climate Change
September 24 "The Global Challenge of Climate Change" op-ed appeared in "De Volkskrant" and the "Reformatorisch Dagblad"

Ambassador Fay Hartog Levin signs the Rotterdam Rules
September 23 U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Fay Hartog Levin signed on behalf of the United States the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Carriage of Goods, Wholly or Partly by Sea in an elaborate ceremony at the Van Nelle Design Factory in Rotterdam.

Waalcrossing remembered
September 20 Ambassador Hartog Levin with U.S. Commander, U.S. Central Command General David Petraeus attended the Market Garden Commemorations in Nijmegen.

Ambassador Hartog Levin hosts an Iftar dinner
September 16 Ambassador Hartog Levin hosted an Iftar dinner for key contacts from the Muslim community in the Netherlands.

U.S. Consul General Julie A. Ruterbories opens the U.S. Food Sensation
September 14 U.S. Consul General Julie A. Ruterbories officially opens the U.S. Food Sensation in Bloemendaal, near Amsterdam.

President Obama meets Dutch Royal Couple
September 11 First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama met with Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima of the Netherlands in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. Left of President Obama is Chief of Staff to the First Lady, Susan Sher. In the forefront Ambassador Hartog Levin.

American School Remembers September 11
 On the eve of September 11th, a Ceremony of Remembrance and Hope sponsored by OAR (Overseas Americans Remember) in cooperation with the American School, was held at ASH for the eighth time.

NY 400 Week kicks off with ceremony on the USS Intrepid
September 9 NY400 Week kicked off with an impressive ceremony onboard the USS Intrepid. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg officially welcomed Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima of the Netherlands to New York City.

Consul General Ruterbories opens Europe’s first American Beer bar in Amsterdam
September 9 U.S. Consul General Julie A. Ruterbories officially opened the first US Beer Bar in Europe, the Beer Temple in Amsterdam. Over 50 different US beer varieties are offered, either bottled or draft.

Ambassador Levin opens concert on famous tugboat “Fighter”
September 4 Ambassador Levin opened the World Harbor Concert in Rotterdam at the Wilhelmina Pier. This event was part of Rotterdam’s annual “World Port Days.”

US NATO Ambassador Daalder speaks in The Hague
September 3 The Netherlands Atlantic Association organized a public meeting with Ambassador Ivo Daalder, the new Permanent Representative of the United States to NATO.

400 Years of Dutch-American relations captured in a major book
September 2 Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, who was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s godchild, received the first copy of the 1,200-page volume "Four Centuries of Dutch-American Relations, 1609-2009."

Prime Minister Balkenende opens academic year at Roosevelt Academy, Middelburg
September 2 In the presence of Ambassador Fay Hartog Levin, Prime Minister Balkenende opened the academic year with the speech "Four ambitions for the Next Generation".

Ambassador Hartog Levin welcomes U.S. Congressional Delegation
August 26 - 28 Ambassador Fay Hartog Levin welcomed a U.S. Congressional delegation to the Netherlands. Richard Shelby, Alabama’s senior U.S. Senator and ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, led the visit to examine economic issues in key European financial centers.

Bronze Star with Valor for Dutch Air Force Officer
August 26 Sergeant First Class Jean-Paul Raijmann, Royal Netherlands Air Force, who was presented the Bronze Star with Valor by Mr. Michael Gallagher at a ceremony at Volkel Air Base.

North Americans out-drive the Europeans by a hair to win the JLG Continents' Cup
August 24 The weather was perfect, the competition fierce, and the mood convivial at the Kennemer Golf and Country Club this weekend.

Ambassador Fay Hartog Levin
August 19  Ambassador Fay Hartog Levin is the 65th Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She presented her credentials to Her Majesty Queen Beatrix on August 19, 2009.

Dutch 16-year-old honored for care of U.S. soldiers’ graves
 Sixteen-year old Sebastiaan Vonk from Hardinxveld-Giessendam was appointed Kentucky Colonel, which is the highest honorary title bestowed upon individuals by approval of the governor of Kentucky.

NY 400 - New York City joins the Netherlands to announce NY400 Week
July 30 NY400 Ambassador Eric Niehe, NYC & Company CEO and New York City NY400 Chair George Fertitta and Deputy Mayor of the City of Amsterdam Carolien Gehrels announced details of a global celebration, “NY400 Week.”

NY 400 - Breukelen celebrates connections with Brooklyn
 The Dutch historic town of Breukelen celebrates NY400 with as special theme, BrooklynBridgeBreukelen, including many activities to commemorate the city’s four centuries relationship with Brooklyn, New York.

NY 400 - Amsterdam Wins American Football Championship in Dutch Tulip Bowl
July 12 On what turned out to be a sunny Sunday and a day that felt like a breezy autumn afternoon, the Amsterdam Crusaders trounced the Leiden Lightning 33-7 under the watchful eye of a lazily spinning 18th century Dutch windmill.

NY 400 - American Day in Vlissingen
July 11 In conjunction with the nation’s many events commemorating Henry Hudson’s voyage 400-years ago to the shores of present-day Manhattan, the City of Vlissingen (Flushing) celebrated its own American Day.

Embassy officials enjoyed the opening "honkbal" game in Rotterdam
July 2 Although the American squad could not make the tourney, thousands of fans enjoyed watching America’s pastime being played under sunny Dutch skies, while the Pittsburgh Pirates’ mascot – the “Pirate Parrot” entertained the crowds.

Independence Day at the Rijksmuseum
July 1 The U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam held its annual Independence Day Celebration, at the renowned Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Dutch Prime Minister and Foreign Minister attend Fourth of July Reception
June 30 Prime Minister Balkenende and Foreign Minister Verhagen attended the Fourth of July Reception at the Ambassador's Residence in The Hague.

David Leavitt: the Indian Clerk - John Adams Institute Lecture (includes video)
June 16 Born in Pittsburgh, educated at Yale, David Leavitt has been grouped with the likes of Edmund White as a writer who has “made art out of previously repressed and unnarrated areas of homoerotic experience.”

NY 400 - Special concert by Marine Band at Festival Classique in The Hague
June 14 The Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy, moderated by American Comedy group Boom Chicago, gave a special concert during the Festival Classique concert series in The Hague.

U.S. Embassy featured at Photo Exhibition on Lange Voorhout
June 12 After more than two years of work, the redesign of the street where the U.S. Embassy in The Hague is located, the Lange Voorhout, has been completed.

Chargé d'Affaires a.i. meets Secretary Gates in Margraten
June 10 Michael Yasenchak, Superintendent of the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten (left) shows Secretary of Defense Gates, Mrs. Gallagher and Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Michael Gallagher the cemetery.

Cemetery Visit Reminds Gates of Cost of Freedom
June 10 Margraten, Netherlands – The 8,301 Americans buried at this beautifully manicured cemetery reminded Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates of the cost Americans pay for freedom.

NY 400 - Amersfoort celebrates connections with New York
June 4-14 ANY represents Amersfoort-New York (Flatlands). This is because both cities have a remarkably matching history, there are many unexpected, inspiring and surprising connections between the two cities.

NY 400 - Zeeland rediscovers America with Walking Tours
May 30 In cooperation with a number of Zeeland organizations, the Roosevelt Study Center in Middelburg has created a booklet with city walks in Vlissingen, Middelburg and Veere.

Amy Chua: Day of Empire - John Adams Institute Lecture in Utrecht (incl. video)
May 27 The Persian dynasties, the Roman Empire, the Dutch Republic in the 17th century, United States of America: all of these hyperpowers grew to world dominance at a time when they had high concentrations of minorities.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visits the Port of Rotterdam
May 27 Secretary LaHood expressed his admiration for the port and his gratitude for the close cooperation of port authorities with.. .

Landrieu, Jackson Study Dutch Water Management System at the Dutch Parliament
May 27 United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson... .

CDA Gallagher at Memorial Day commemoration in Margraten
May 24 Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Michael Gallagher gives a Memorial Day speech at the American cemetery in Margraten.

Toni Morrison: A mercy - John Adams Institute Lecture (includes video)
May 20 One of the most important American writers of her generation took the John Adams Institute stage for the first time. Toni Morrison—as renowned for her magical realism as for her portrayal of the African American struggle—is that rare writer who is acclaimed by critics and adored by the reading public.

NY 400 - Special open air concert in Breda: 400 Years of Music in Manhattan
May 15 As part of the NY400 festivities this year, the theme of Breda’s annual concerts held at the historic Spanjaardsgat fortifications ...

NY 400 - Amsterdam discovered by New York Photographers
May 14 To mark the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s discovery of Manhattan, Foam (Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam)...

NY 400 - Winners of “How to Make a Better World” essay contest go to the USA
May 13 The Municipality of The Hague organized a “How to Make a Better World” conference at the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael.

Dutch village creates portrait of President Obama with hyacinths
May 11 40 volunteers worked on a 2 x 3 meter mosaic of President Obama, composed of millions of hyacinth flowers.

Embassy official holds presentation on Limburg Law Day
May 10  The Netherlands Law Center of 21st Theater Support Command of the U.S. Army organized a Law Day in castle.. .

NY 400 - Statue of Liberty blossoms in the Keukenhof
April 29 The flower version of one of America’s main national emblems, the Statue of Liberty, at the Keukenhof, stands for...

NY 400 - Minister Verhagen meets with Secretary Clinton in Washington
April 20 Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen met with Secretary of State Clinton in Washington.

Symposium in Amsterdam: Barack Obama - The First 100 Days
April 16 In celebration of Dutch-American Friendship Day, a moderated round-table dialogue with students...

NY 400 - North Holland Commemoration kicks off on the island of Texel
April 10  North Holland States official Sacha Baggerman kicked off the celebration of the Hudson year in the Province of North Holland.