PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Hon. Mathias Voges. Nico van de Ven Photo
In the presence of His Royal Highness King Willem-Alexander and Her Royal Highness Queen Maxima, Government officials and thousands of persons who came out to the Oosterpark in the Dutch City of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Sint Maarten’s
Minister Plenipotentiary Hon. Mathias Voges placed a wreath at the Slavery Emancipation Monument on behalf of the Government and people of Sint Maarten. On July 1, 1863, some 1500 enslaved persons officially obtained their freedom in the Southern part of Sint Maarten.