Sons of Norway Celebrates May 17th (Syttende Mai)
Norway Celebrates Its Fourth of July
May 17th is the Day Commemorated All Over the World By Sons of Norway
Wednesday, May 17, was a day dear to the hearts of Norwegians wherever they were. It is the anniversary -- the 91st anniversary -- of the adoption of the fundamental law of the realm of Norway by which they were granted their freedom. It is their Fourth of July, and on this day they are swayed by the same patriotic impulses that move Americans on the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Prior to 1814, Norway had a varied history. Form may years before that the country was under the Danish king, and before that there were numerous unions between the Scandinavian countries. In January of 1814, Norway was transferred to Sweden. Some of the Norwegians were inclined to resist his action, but the means of resistance were small and the terms offered by the Swedes were liberal.
On May 17 of that year, the fundamental law was promulgated at Eidsvodl and in the fall of the same year was incorporated in the agreement with Sweden. Under its provisions, Norway is a free, independent and indivisible kingdom, but united with Sweden under the same king.
Since this union with Sweden the country has been peaceful and prosperous on the whole. The only troubles that have arisen have been over the question whether the king had an absolute veto over alterations of the fundamental law. The words "free, independent and indivisible" are those in the law that makes Norwegians rejoice on the 17th day of May. Janesville representatives of that people and their children on that independence day turned their hearts and minds towards the mother country with a more than passing interest.
Source: Janesville Daily Gazette, May 19, 1905, Page 2, Janesville, Wisconsin.
