Norwegian Constitution Day

In the post on July 4th Grateful Heart asked to be told of special holidays for other nations.

17 May was the 200 year anniversary of Norway's constitution.

Between 1397 and 1814 Norway was part of the Danish Kingdom. After the Napoleonic Wars - when Denmark was on the side of France - the great powers decided to free Norway from Danish rule and award it to Sweden. Norway established its own constitution on the 17 May. It was not until 1905 that it was able to peacefully disconnect itself from Sweden.

A very poor nation throughout its history the 1800's was a period when many emigrated - to the USA and other nations. In proportion to its population Norway was second to Ireland in folks leaving the country...85% found there way to the upper mid-west and 15% to the coasts. Just short of 2% of the nation have some Norwegian blood in their veins including a sizable number in Arizona.

Since finding oil in the 1970's the trend has reversed; the country and its lifestyle make it a highly desirable place to live.

Azviking

6 Comments

Thank you Az

by Grateful Heart - 2014-07-05 03:07:02


Thank you for sharing that and educating us.

Happy belated 200th year anniversary to Norway!

Grateful Heart

Thank you Az

by IAN MC - 2014-07-05 04:07:03

Grateful Heart is hungry for knowledge . She will also be interested that :-

July 5th celebrates the independence of Algeria from France in 1962. It also celebrates the independence of Cape Verde from Portugal in 1975. It also celebrates the independence of Venezuela from Spain in 1811

July 7th celebrates the independence of the Soloman Islands from the UK in 1978

It is also Gay Pride Day in Holland

July 10th is National Day of Commemoration in Ireland

July 11th is National Maritime day in China

It is also Asalha Burha National holiday in Thailand

I could go on, and on.

It is interesting that EVERY day seems to be a National Holiday somewhere in the world . Wouldn't it be fun if EVERY day we had a post from somewhere on this international forum telling us that they are enjoying a national holiday ? or would it ?????

Cheers

Ian


-

Indeed

by Grateful Heart - 2014-07-05 04:07:03

That would be fun!

Added: But not just reciting dates. The real history behind it from someone whom the holiday has meaning.

That would not be everyday, just when someone posted THEIR holidays or traditions, just as Az did.

Grateful Heart

It would be the greatest thing....

by donr - 2014-07-05 05:07:27

....since sliced bread or tinned kippers.

Any one ever see an eagle eat a snake in the top of a tree - other than on a Mexican flag? I did - in San Diego, California. Looked just like the flag. Anyone ever notice that the Mexican & Irish flags are the same colors in the same order, top to bottom? I didn't, but a Mexican friend did one day & was quite surprised.

Anyone else ever wonder why there are so many Johnsons in the UK? How about why their son went to an elementary school well inland from the Channel named Danesfield. the school crest even had a Viking helmet w/ horns on it. or that there were 53 pages of Anderson's (or was it Johnson's ) in the Stockholm phone book in 1980?

Azviking commented above that a lot of Norwegians settled in the upper midwest of the US - in particular, Minnesota. That one never struck me till I went to the 1975 Boy Scout World Jamboree in Lillehammer, Norway in 1975. By golly, Minnesota & Norway look & feel the same - 10 gazillion pine trees & rolling hills, rocks, lakes & colder than a walk in freezer in August.

Now I ask you, where else is Six-Pack Charlie, living in the middle of Texas all his life going to be exposed to a not on the Norwegian Constitution Day except on THIS site.

I commented to someone today that while stretched out, zonked clean out of our minds on an OR table, having a PM planted in our chests, we are all the same, but conscious & babbling away, we are so different.

I've been to a lot of places, but never the Solomon Islands.

I learned why Danesfield school is where it is from reading a turgid, less than epic history of the Vikings from about 1000 AD to 1300 AD. I learned why all the Nordic people in Minnesota from visiting both locations - but why many other things are the way they are from right here.

There's more to culture than our PM's.

Donr

Thank you.

by Rogue427 - 2014-07-06 09:07:55

Thanks, my wife is Norwegian from Wisconsin. :)

I think it's great

by KAG - 2014-07-06 12:07:28

to learn about other countries. I agree with GH that the personalized versions are the best, not just the dates.

Good to remind ourselves that there is more to life than our little buddies. Though yes our little buddies are very important to us. Also how similar we all are no matter where we live.

Plus having a holiday some where in the world can give us a reason for celebration practically every day, if we need it. :-)

Kathy

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