Iceland Independence Day 2024 – June 17, 2024

History of Iceland Independence Day

Iceland Independence Day is a holiday that is celebrated all over the nation. There are many activities that take place including traditional parades. The parades are held in each city, village, or town and are usually led by a brass band. Riders lead the parade on Icelandic horses while bearing the national flag. The Icelandic scout movement also follows the band during the parades. Speeches are held in public after the parade. When the public speeches are over, other more informal celebrations begin. This usually includes a variety of musical performances.Iceland appears to have no prehistorical records. Two historical texts recall the country’s past. It is said to be discovered and settled by the Norse people in the Viking age. The “Book of the Icelanders” or “Íslendingabók” states that people settled in Iceland in about 870—930 A.D. A second source, “Landnámabók,” the “Book of Settlements,” dating from the 12th century, states that the first permanent settler, Ingólfur Arnarson, came from Norway in 874 A.D. He named the place where he settled Reykjavik. Most of the settlers came from Norway, but some hailed from other Nordic countries and the Norse Viking Age settlements in the British Isles. In 1602, Denmark monopolized all foreign trade in Iceland.The Danish crown continued to increase its hold on Iceland over the years, including on a constitutional level. In 1803, Iceland was allotted two seats at a new consultative assembly for the Danish Isles at Roskilde, Denmark. This kindled desire in Iceland for restoration of the Icelandic Althing assembly (the oldest legislature in the world).In 1874, the King presented Iceland with a constitution whereby the Althing had the legislative power in internal affairs; however, the cabinet minister responsible for Iceland was the minister of justice in the Danish government. In 1918, Iceland became a separate state under the Danish crown, while only foreign affairs remained under Danish control. 1940, Germany occupied Denmark, and this union dissolved. In 1941, the United States took over the defense of Iceland, and the forces brought employment and prosperity to the country.Iceland was declared an independent republic on June 17, 1944, even though it gained independence from Denmark much earlier, on December 1, 1918. That was when the Act of Union with Denmark was signed. The Act declared Iceland to be an independent state under the Danish crown. There was a clause in the Act that changed the relationship that Iceland had with Denmark. Voters were required to decide whether the Union with Denmark should be abolished and if they should adopt a new republican constitution. There was a 98% vote in favor of both measures with a voter turnout of 98.4%. The holiday celebrates all the efforts that led to the nation gaining its independence.The holiday has been a national public holiday since 1971. Employers have been giving their workers the day off since 1945. It is an important day in the country and almost all citizens participate in the festivities.