Beginning of the Dutch Revolt

Date: May 23, 1568 • Location: Hoek, Netherlands

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1568–1648.

The Dutch Revolt broke out when rebels led by Louis of Nassau (pictured) invaded Friesland at the Battle of Heiligerlee.

The Eighty Years' War or Dutch Revolt was an armed conflict in the Habsburg Netherlands between disparate groups of rebels and the Spanish government. The causes of the war included the Reformation, centralisation, excessive taxation, and the rights and privileges of the Dutch nobility and cities.