May 17, Norwegian Day

17th of May

The Celebration
The 17th of May is Norway's Constitution Day. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm by young and old. The celebrations marks the day in 1814 when Norway got its independence from Denmark. It is a day of flags, parades. speeches and bands playing the national anthem, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet"- which you can hear in the background. Families gather. Norwegians everywhere wear their highly embroidered national costumes, called "bunader". Many countries celebrate their Constitution or Independence, but opposed to these, the Norwegian celebration has no reference to military power.

The Seventeenth of May usually starts with a flag-hoisting ceremony at a nearby school, church or other governmental building. Then, pupils join in the Children's Parade, while adults watch and cheer from the sidewalks. All the schoolchildren in the whole country march with the Norwegian flag in their hands and colorful banners, which represent their school or their class, in front. After the Children's Parade, each local community organizes its own celebration consisting of speeches, games and contests for the children, bands playing and hot dogs and ice cream. It is common for the celebrations to take place in the school-yards. Almost every school has its own brass-band which contributes to the celebrations. After the activities in the school-yards, the festivities continue in the center of town, where people from all over the city meet. Here there is a new parade with different organizations marching. All kinds of organizations are represented; the girls scouts, soccer teams, folk dance groups, religious organizations, bands etc.

At night, it is common to join friends and neighbors for a party at someone's house, at a nearby playground, or in the streets.


Ya Sure..yew bettcha!!! My Father's Mother was Norwegian through and through, even though she was born in North Dakota, her family immigrated from Lillehamer, Norway before she was born. Dad was 1/2 norwegian and 1/2 Irish, but considered himself full blooded Norwegian.

Phyllis and I both feel our Norwegian heiritage and wish we could go see the "old country".

Ballard will be rocking tomorrow!!! Too bad I have a dentist appointment, I would go kick up my heels.