The Union Dissolution Day, observed in Norway on 7 June (though not a public holiday), [1] is marked in remembrance of the Norwegian parliament 's 1905 declaration of dissolution of the union with Sweden, a personal union which had existed since 1814. The day is celebrated in Norway as the Independence Day and is an official flag flying day, and is observed with ordinary salute at Akershus However, since Norway was in a union with Sweden at the time, King Karl Johan of Sweden and Norway banned the festivities from 1820 until 1829. The first public speech to mark the day was delivered in 1833 by Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland. Since then, the 17th of May has been celebrated as Norway’s national day. This decision was very unpopular in Norway, so independence was declared and a constitution made: on May 17 Norway also celebrates independence. By historical coincidence, World War II ended in Norway nine days before Constitution Day on 8 May 1945, when the occupying German forces surrendered. Norway was forced into an unwilling union with Sweden and ruled under the same monarch with two capitals – Stockholm and Christiania (Oslo). It wasn’t until 1905 that Norway finally gained independence and the forced union with Sweden was peacefully dissolved. The day became more significant after Norway gained independence from Sweden in 1905, and it became a national holiday in 1947. Why makes the children’s procession so special? The constitution declared Norway to be an independent kingdom in an attempt to avoid being ceded to Sweden after Denmark–Norway 's devastating defeat in the Napoleonic Wars. This established a Union between Sweden and Norway. The celebration of this day began spontaneously among students and others from early on. So Sweden now has a national day, though many Swedes still call it flag day. As Syttende mai commemorates the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814, Norway early settled on the straightforward name of Grunnlovsdagen. In 1905 Norway gained their independence from the Swedes, and in 1906 the 17th of May celebration became even stronger and more important. This was also the year that the parade started to walk by the Royal Palace with King Haakon and Queen Maud waving from the balcony, a tradition that is still in place today. Norwegian Constitution Day is the biggest national celebration in Norway. Here's what to expect in Norway on May 17. Norwegian Constitution Day, celebrated on May 17, marks the adoption of Norway's constitution in 1814, a pivotal moment in the nation’s quest for independence. The backdrop of this celebration is rooted in the political turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars, during which Norway was part of a union with Denmark. In July of 1814, Sweden invaded Norway and the country’s short-lived independence was over – for now. Because it had its own constitution, Norway entered into a union with Sweden as an independent state in August of 1814. Norway's quest for independence began on May 17, 1814, with the signing of a new Constitution. Yet, Norway's forced union with Sweden, which began Jan. 14, 1814 (after 400 years of domination by Denmark), was to last until 1905 when Norway proclaimed, and secured, full independence. May 17, Norway's Constitution Day, is often celebrated as an "independence day." In his talk, Los Angeles Norway’s national day dates back to 1814 when the country signed its constitution on 17th May, paving the way for its eventual independence. Initially, the day was a solemn event marked by political speeches, but over time, it has transformed into a vibrant, inclusive celebration. The 17th of May was established as a National Day in 1814 as the Constitution of Norway was signed in Eidsvoll, declaring Norway as an independent nation. However, Norway was under Swedish rule at that time and the Swedes believed that the celebration was a provocation against Sweden and the royal family. By the 1814 Treaty of Kiel, the King of Denmark-Norway was forced to cede Norway to the King of Sweden, but Norway refused to submit to the treaty provisions, declared independence, and convoked a constituent assembly at Eidsvoll in early 1814. In 1905, Norway separated from Sweden peacefully and became a truly independent country. By historical coincidence, World War II ended when the occupying German forces surrendered in Norway on May 8, 1945, just nine days before that year’s Constitution Day. Independence and union with Sweden in 1814 The year 1814 was perhaps the most eventful in Norway’s history. At the beginning of the year the country was ruled by Denmark, an absolute monarchy under King Frederik VI. By the end of the year it was a constitutional monarchy in a union with Sweden. In the months between, Norway became an independent state, adopted its own constitution and chose In 1814, after being on the losing side of the Napoleonic Wars with Denmark, Norway was ceded to the king of Sweden by the Treaty of Kiel. Norway declared its independence and adopted a constitution. However, no foreign powers recognized the Norwegian independence but supported the Swedish demand for Norway to comply with the treaty of Kiel. The dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden was the result of a conflict over the question of a separate Norwegian consular service. Norwegian nationalistic aspirations in 1814 were frustrated by Sweden's victory in a brief but decisive war that resulted in Norway entering into a personal union with Sweden. The Norwegian constitution was largely kept intact. Norway legally had the status of an independent state with its own parliament, judiciary, legal system, armed forces, flag, and currency. However, Norway and Sweden
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