The Dutch Miracle refers to the Netherlands's miraculous transition in the 1590s from a possession of the Holy Roman Empire to the foremost maritime and economic power in the world. The phenomenon is summarized by K. W. Swart in his article, The Miracle of the Dutch Republic as Seen in the Seventeenth Century, delivered at University College London 6 November 1967.
Famous quotes containing the words dutch and/or miracle:
“The French courage proceeds from vanity—the German from phlegm—the Turkish from fanaticism & opium—the Spanish from pride—the English from coolness—the Dutch from obstinacy—the Russian from insensibility—but the Italian from anger.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)
“According to the historian, they escaped as by a miracle all roving bands of Indians, and reached their homes in safety, with their trophies, for which the General Court paid them fifty pounds. The family of Hannah Dustan all assembled alive once more, except the infant whose brains were dashed out against the apple tree, and there have been many who in later time have lived to say that they have eaten of the fruit of that apple tree.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)