May 17: National Day in Norway

Written By Notgrass History
 

Prayer Idea

Pray for the people and government of Norway.

History Note

The origin of the Kingdom of Norway is traditionally dated to 872 when Harald Fairhair united several smaller kingdoms on the Scandinavian peninsula. Norwegian territory expanded as fishermen and settlers moved across the northern Atlantic region to the Orkney, Shetland, and Faroe Islands; Iceland; and Greenland.

Norway became part of a political union with Denmark in 1397. After Norwegians participated in the losing side during the Napoleonic Wars, the country sought to reestablish its independence.

An assembly approved a constitution for the country on May 17, 1814. After the U.S. Constitution, Norway’s constitution is the second-oldest national constitution still in effect. It retained a hereditary monarchy while creating a system of government with a prime minister (“Statsminister”), a council (“Statsråd”), and a legislature (“Storting”).

Today Norway’s 5.5 million people celebrate May 17 as their national holiday with parades, bands, costumes, and lots of ice cream!

Norwegians celebrate May 17 in Oslo in 2015. Photo by Al Teich / Shutterstock.com.

Learn More

This video shows Norwegians celebrating May 17.

Find other resources at Homeschool History.

Notgrass History

Notgrass History exists to glorify God by producing materials centered in His Word that help parents train their children to honor God with heart, soul, and mind. Our team of homeschool parents and graduates work together to serve homeschooling families across the country and around the world.

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May 16: May 16 Notification in China (1966)