Celebrate Syttende Mai: May 17, Norwegian Independence Day
Wednesday May 14, 2008
Syttende Mai is Norway's Independence Day. Even if you are not of Norwegian descent, Minnesota's history wouldn't be the same without the influence of Scandinavian settlers, so all Minnesotans - not just those of Norwegian descent - may join in. The Sons of Norway are hosting events to celebrate the day.
Syttende Mai is traditionally family-orientated, and celebrates and shares Norwegian culture with others. On Saturday 18, a church service precedes a flag parade, music, singing and folk dancing at the Mindekirken Norwegian Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
Comments
As a norwegian, I have to say, I have never celebrated the Norwegian Independence day on May 17th (if you are thinking about Independence from Germany after WWII, that is May 8th!!!).
But we do celebrate that we May 17th 1814 was the day we got our own constitution!!! Oh yeah, and Denmark did hand us over to Sweden after Napolion lost the war… But not on that day!