A national Remembrance of the Dead ceremony is held at the monument every year on 4 May to commemorate the casualties of World War II and subsequent armed conflicts.

While planning was ongoing, a temporary monument was erected on the Dam in 1947, designed by A. J. van de Steur and Auke Komter.

Mayor Arnold Jan d'Ailly decided to consolidate the plans and build the privately funded monument on Dam Square, using Rädecker's designs.

[1][2] The central element of the monument is a concrete conical pillar 22 metres (72 ft) in height, covered entirely by white travertine stone.

On the front of the pillar is a relief entitled De Vrede ("Peace"), consisting of four chained male figures, representing the suffering endured during the war.

Above the central relief is a sculpture of a woman with a child in her arms and doves flying around her, representing victory, peace, and new life.

[1][2] The pillar carries an inscription in Latin: Hic ubi cor patriae monumentum cordibus intus quod gestant cives spectet ad astra dei.

On the back side of the wall is an inscription of a verse of Dutch poetry by Anthonie Donker, a pseudonym of Nico Donkersloot.