The war between the protestant Netherlands, mostly led by William of Orange, and Catholic Spain, was one of the marks in Dutch history. This war has determined the beliefs of many people who now live about the three rivers that go through the country: Most of the people north of the rivers are protestant, and most of the believers below them (even throughout Belgium as well) are Catholic. This is no coincidence.

The war in the 1600s has become a symbol of Dutch resistance, independence, and the royal family (of Orange). In that sense, traditions date back hundreds of years, some them that have their roots in this century. Learn more about what caused the 80 years of war between these two countries, how France was involved, and how it helped form the boundaries and borders of those countries today.