During World War II, the Dutch Royal family fled to England for safety. Princess Julianna, who was the heir to the throne of Holland and also pregnant, was sent to Canada for safety. When she was in Canada, Princess Julianna gave birth to a baby girl in the Ottawa Civic Hospital Maternity Ward (her room was temporarily changed to be a part of Holland so the princess could be born a Dutch citizen).

Princess Julianna was so grateful for the kindness shown to her by Canada that every year Holland sends 100,000 tulips bulbs which are planted in huge flower beds along the side of the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. Even now the 46-year old tradition is continued and Ottawa celebrates The Canadian Tulip Festival in May. What started as a gift of friendship has become the largest tulip festival in the world.