The National Day of Sweden ( sv, Sveriges nationaldag ) is a national holiday observed annually in Sweden on 6 June. Prior to 1983, the day was celebrated as the Swedish Flag Day ( sv, Svenska flaggans dag, links=no). At that time, the day was named the Swedish National Day by the

parliament of Sweden The Riksdag (, ; also sv, riksdagen or ''Sveriges riksdag'' ) is the legislature and the supreme decision-making body of Sweden. Since 1971, the Riksdag has been a unicameral legislature with 349 members (), elected proportionally and se ...

History

Carl XVI Gustaf och Silvia på Skansen 2009

The tradition of celebrating this date began in 1916 at the

Stockholm Olympic Stadium Stockholm Olympic Stadium ( sv, Stockholms Olympiastadion), most often called Stockholms stadion or (especially locally) simply Stadion, is a stadium in Stockholm, Sweden. Designed by architect Torben Grut, it was opened in 1912; its original use ...

, in honor of the election of King

Gustav Vasa Gustav I, born Gustav Eriksson of the Vasa noble family and later known as Gustav Vasa (12 May 1496 – 29 September 1560), was King of Sweden from 1523 until his death in 1560, previously self-recognised Protector of the Realm ('' Riksför ...

on 6 June 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, the event signifies 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 has not as strong a presence in the social consciousness as does, for example, the

Norwegian Constitution Day Constitution Day is the national day of Norway and is an official public holiday observed on 17 May each year. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to as ''Syttende Mai'' ("Seventeenth of May"), ''Nasjonaldagen'' ("National Day"), or ''Grunnlo ...

, ''Syttende mai''. Although the national day is celebrated on 6 June, it is actually wrong due to the

Julian calendar The Julian calendar, proposed by Roman consul Julius Caesar in 46 BC, was a reform of the Roman calendar. It took effect on , by edict. It was designed with the aid of Greek mathematicians and astronomers such as Sosigenes of Alexandr ...

which was in use before 1582, when the

Gregorian calendar The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It was introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian calendar. The principal change was to space leap years dif ...

was introduced, and which (before March 1700) was ten days behind the Gregorian calendar; the anniversary of the election of King Gustav Vasa should therefore be celebrated on 16 June rather than 6 June. In 2005, it became an official Swedish

public holiday A public holiday, national holiday, or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year. Sovereign nations and territories observe holidays based on events of significance to their history ...

, replacing

Whit Monday Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday, also known as Monday of the Holy Spirit, is the holiday celebrated the day after Pentecost, a moveable feast in the Christian liturgical calendar. It is moveable because it is determined by the date of Easter. I ...

. This change led to fewer days off from work (more working-days) as 6 June will periodically fall on the weekend, unlike Whit Monday, which was always celebrated on a Monday. Among newer traditions that have emerged since National Day turned red day is an invitation from the King to the public to visit large parts of

Stockholm Palace Stockholm Palace or the Royal Palace ( sv, Stockholms slott or ) is the official residence and major royal palace of the Swedish monarch (King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia use Drottningholm Palace as their usual residence). Stockholm Pala ...

all day without the usual entry fees.Bové, Klara and Ekengren Oscarsson, Henrik, "Fler firar den svenska nationaldagen" in "Mellan 2011 och 2016 ökade andelen som firar nationaldagen från 25 till 31 procent."

Image gallery

File:Nationaldagen 2009 - Ballongfirande.jpg, National Day Celebration at Stockholm Palace
2009 File:Sveriges nationaldag 2013-7.jpg , Entrance to Stockholm Palace
2013 image:Medaljutdelning Nationaldagen 2012.JPG, Swedish UN soldiers awarded medals at on National Day
2012. File:Natinaldagsfirande på yttre borggården 2013.jpg, National Day Celebration at Stockholm Palace outer court
2013

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:National Day Of Sweden Swedish culture Society of Sweden Sweden Sweden Swedish flag flying days June observances Public holidays in Sweden Summer events in Sweden

History

Image gallery

See also

References