The three month siege of Alkmaar ended October 8, 1573 with a Dutch victory over Spanish forces. 

This was the first significant Spanish defeat in the Eighty Years’ War, and signalled a turning point in the long war. 

This set of Cinderellas (non postal stamps) was issued in 1973 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the victory. 

 

The siege of Alkmaar was the besieging of the city of Alkmaar during the Eighty Years’ War by the army of Don Fadrique, son of the Duke of Alva. The Spanish army had to give up after William of Orange had given the order to pierce the dikes. City carpenter Maarten van der Meij transported the preserved reports on little notes in a hollow vaulting pole. Alkmaar was the first city that resisted the siege and was relieved. Hence the slogan: ‘The Victory begins in Alkmaar.’  
Relief of Alkmaar – Immaterieel Erfgoed

Oct. 8, 2024 we focused on Australian women’s rights activist Rose Scott.