Each May, Ottawa celebrates the iconic Canadian Tulip Festival. From May 4 through 21, 2012, the event marks its 60th edition with special programming and over 3,000,000 tulips on display throughout the region—Commissioners Park alone features 300,000 tulips!

The tulip is Ottawa’s official flower, stemming from World War II, when the Dutch Royal Family took refuge in Ottawa and Princess Margriet—the younger sister of the current Queen Beatrix—was born during their stay. Canadian troops played a pivotal role in the liberation of the Netherlands, so when the war ended and the Royal Family returned, they sent a gift of 100,000 tulip bulbs to the people of Canada and the gift of tulips has continued to this day.