Happy National Day, Austria!
The present Doodle celebrates Austrian National Day on the anniversary of major historic developments in the European nation’s history.
On this day in 1955, foreign powers left Austria’s soil, driving Parliament to pass legislation announcing permanent neutrality in any future commitment—a guarantee to harmony that has been celebrated as National Day beginning around 1965.
Official functions start in the capital of Vienna with a yearly laying of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier followed by a televised speech from the central government to Austrian residents.
Broadly run historical centers are opened to public, including the House of Austrian History (the republic’s first museum of contemporary history) and the Natural History Museum Vienna.
Customarily, a significant number of the country’s 83 consulates across the globe open their entryways for receptions and other National Day events to respect the country’s history and give Austrians remaining abroad a taste of home.
