It's Independence Day!!

Everyone in the USA is saying " I don't think so", but in Scandinavian countries, this is a very important time of year! June begins the warmer months of the year and patriotic events seem to be everywhere.

It was June 5th, when Danish citizens celebrated . Constitution Day, or Independence Day in Denmark is on June 5, a national holiday. It is called Constitution Day because it commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the constitution of 1849 , putting into law the "Constitutional monarchy", replacing the "Absolute Monarchy", thus striving to limit the power of the "King". Since that date, the Danish constitution has been completely rewritten five times. No huge celebration, but a day of celebrating with family. June 5th is also Father's Day in Denmark!

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Swedes celebrate Flag Day (similar to an "Independence Day") in memory of the founding of the kingdom of Sweden by the coronation ceremony of Gustav Vasa on June 6, 1523 as well as celebrating their constitution law on June 6 of 1809. This date was selected to be the official National Day of Sweden in the year 1983. Sweden's Independence Day has been a public holiday only since 2005, and is without large celebrations or events. Gustav I has subsequently been labelled the founder of modern Sweden, and the "father of the nation". Gustav liked to compare himself to Moses, whom he believed to have also liberated his people. As a person, Gustav was known for ruthless methods , a sly wit and ability to outmaneuver and annihilate his political opponents.He served as King of Sweden from 1523-death 1560.

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Icelandic Independence Day is June 17, a major annual event in Iceland commonly known as National Day.In 1944, the Scandinavian country of Iceland declared full independence from the Danish crown. Icelanders selected June 17 to be the official holiday because it was the birthday of Jon Sigurdsson, who is regarded as Iceland's champion to their nationalist cause, that being a resolution of a union with Denmark! Sigurdsson was born in June 17, 1811.

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Finland is a Scandinavian country that is not celebrating this month. Finnish residents declare their memorial day on December 6th. Finland was under control of the Russian Empire until 1917 when they finally succeeded in their quest for independence . Every year, on this day, two candles are lit and placed in a window . They were placed to inform young men on their way to Sweden and Germany that the house was ready to offer shelter and keep them hidden from the Russians.

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There has always been a tendency to call Norway's syttende mai Independence Day, but that's Constitution Day. Norway's actual Independence Day is June 7th. The parliament of Norway broke the union with Sweden on June 7th, 1905. After some months of tension and fear of war between the two neighboring nations, negotiations between the two governments led to Norway's recognition by Sweden as an independent constitutional monarchy on October 26th, 1905, when King Oscar II renounced his claim to the Norwegian throne, dissolving the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway. King Oscar was the King of Sweden, and later the King of Norway! By historical coincidence, June 7th was also the date in 1940 when King Haakon VII of Norway and the royal family had to leave the country after escaping the German forces during the WWII invasion of Norway; and it is also the date in 1945 on which the King returned after 5 years of exile in London.

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So, June is a busy month. Happy Independence Day to you all!