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Icelandic
17th of June
Every year since 1944, Icelanders have celebrated
their independence on the 17th of June.
Before 1944, Iceland had been under Denmark’s
authority for a long time. Icelanders fought for
their independence for years. One of Iceland’s
greatest champions for independence was Jón
Sigurðsson, often called President Jón. He was
never actually Iceland’s president, though, since he
had died long before Iceland had its independence
and its first president. Jón’s birthday was on 17 June
and therefore it was decided that Iceland’s Independence
Day would be on that day. Iceland’s first president was
Sveinn Björnsson.
Icelanders celebrate their independence with parades, all
kinds of entertainment for children and often concerts.
Each year, young Icelanders place flowers in front of the
statue of Jón Sigurðssson. The statue stands opposite the
parliament in Austurvöllur in the capital Reykjavík.
Write about what you and your family do on the
17th of June? Do you always do the same things
or do you change your plans from year to year?
