Norwegian Constitution Day or "grunnlovsdag," commonly known as "Syttende Mai" or the 17th of May is a celebration of the day in 1814 when Norway’s constitution was signed in the town of Eidsvoll, Norway.

The first Seventeenth of May celebrations in Norway consisted of festivities and political demonstrations against Swedish control of Norway. They began in 1815 in private clubs under the guidance of Matthias Conrad Peterson of Trondheim. He was a Dane, but an ardent Norwegian in his heart and mind. In 1824, he stepped forward and proposed Syttende Mai be celebrated publicly as Norway’s Constitution Day.

In Oslo, then known as Christiania, the celebrations began in 1824 against the wishes of Carl Johan, who was king of Sweden and Norway. In 1829, circumstances allowed several important events to take place. In the Christiania harbor, a steamboat called Constitutionen, The Constitution, arrived on a gorgeous sunny Sunday. The citizens were enjoying their day off and had gathered in large numbers near the harbor. The authorities grew uneasy as the crowd cheered, "Long live the Constitution." The authorities knew in their hearts the citizens honored both the ship and the document. At Stortorget, a city marketplace, the military at Akershus Castle was ordered to disburse the crowd. When the crowd did not disburse, a cavalry unit attacked. The people fled. Fortunately no one was killed, but Norway was humiliated. It was called the Battle of the Marketplace.

The hero of this battle was a young student, Henrik Wergeland. He was the son of one of the signers of the Constitution, and a very strong advocate for Norway’s Constitution and Syttende Mai celebrations. The battle was the beginning of a lifelong commitment for human rights, equality, freedom and democracy. Wergeland’s successful promotion of the Syttende Mai celebrations are illustrated by the "Hurra for Syttende Mai," or "Hooray for the Seventeenth of May," which is said throughout the day’s celebration in Utah and Norway.

The first offical Children’s Parade was announced in Christiania on May 16, 1870. The man behind the idea was Bjornstjerne Bjornson, a controversial patriot, author, political agitator and inspirational speaker. He wrote a poem called "Ja, vi elsker dette landet." "Yes, we love this country." This became the national anthem of Norway. His cousin, Richard Nordraak, wrote the music.

The strong commitment and joyful demonstrations of appreciation for their country was shown by thousand of Norwegians waving their flags during the 1994 Olympics in Norway. The tradition continues as both Norwegian flags and United States flags wave during the festivities on the Seventeenth of May every year in Utah. Enjoy life and the freedom we have! Join us in the celebration of both.

For more information, click here to link to Norwegian Constitution Day on Wikipedia.