National Day of Sweden

National Day celebrations at Kungsträdgården in Stockholm.

National Day of Sweden (Sveriges nationaldag) is a national holiday observed in Sweden on the 6th of June every year. Prior to 1983, the day was celebrated as Svenska flaggans dag (Swedish flag day). At that time, the day was renamed to the national day by the Riksdag .

History

The tradition of celebrating this date began 1916 at the Stockholm Olympic Stadium, in honour of the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, as this was considered the foundation of modern Sweden.

Some question the validity of this as a national holiday, as it was not observed as a holiday until decades later. However this event does signify the end of the Danish-ruled Kalmar Union, so in a sense it is a marking of Swedish independence, though the event occurred so long ago that it does not have as strong of a presence in the social consciousness as does, for example, Norway's Syttende Mai (17 May).

In 2005 it became an official Swedish public holiday, replacing Whit Monday. This change led to fewer days off from work (more working-days) as the 6th of June will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday. This has in turn led to complaints from some Swedish unions.

Related events

A Swedish flag flown outside a home in Jakobsberg, just north of Stockholm, on 6 June 2007.

• 1523 - Gustav Vasa is elected King of Sweden, marking the end of the Kalmar Union.
• 1654 - Charles X of Sweden succeeds his cousin Christina to the Swedish throne after her abdication.
• 1809 - Sweden promulgates a new Instrument of Government, which restores political power to the Riksdag of the Estates.
• 1857 - Sophia of Nassau marries the future King Oscar II of Sweden-Norway.
• 1974 - A new Instrument of Government is promulgated.

The events of 1523 and 1809 are generally regarded as the most important; the first reestablishing Sweden as an independent country after the Kalmar union, the other establishing an Instrument of Government that was used until the 1970s.

See also

• Du gamla, Du fria, unofficial national anthem of Sweden.
• Three Crowns, national emblem of Sweden
• Flag of Sweden
• Mother Svea

Gallery

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  Crown Princess Victoria at a National Day celebration in 2006.

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  An orchestra playing Swedish folk music with dancers performing traditional folk dances at Stockholm City Hall on National Day 2007.

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  Swedish extreme right-wing groups occasionally use the National Day as an opportunity to arrange public manifestations; demonstration on National Day 2007.