Subj : Norway Constitution Day (Syttende Mai), May 17
To   : All
From : Mike Dippel
Date : Sat May 17 2025 22:05:42

May 17, 1814, marks both Norway's declaration of independence from Sweden and the 
day on which its constitution was signed. 

At that time, however, the king of Sweden still ruled Norway, and true independence 
didn't come until 1905, when the union with Sweden was dissolved and Norway chose its 
own king. Nevertheless, this day remains the great spring festival in Norway, and today 
it is celebrated primarily by young people.

The children's procession in Oslo, the capital city, is the largest of many school parades 
throughout the country. 

Marching behind their school bands and banners, the children pass under the balcony of 
the Royal Palace in salute to the king. 

Students who are about to graduate from secondary school and enter college cheer and 
spin their tasseled caps in the air on bamboo canes. 

In the afternoon, many neighborhoods have celebrations of their own so that children 
who are too young to participate in the school parades may march near their homes.

Everyone joins in the procession, waving Norwegian flags, leading dogs, and pushing 
baby carriages. Eventually they congregate in the town square to listen to patriotic 
speeches and play games.

May 17 has been celebrated since the 1820s and is sometimes referred to as Norway's 
National Day or Norway's Liberation Day

Full story:
https://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Norway+Constitution+Day

Mike Dippel
 
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