#OnThisDay 1814 unterzeichnete Norwegen seine Verfassung

Since the days of the black plague, that decimated the Norwegian population, Norway had been under control of the Kingdom of Denmark.

But Denmark chose to side with Napoleon, and when he fell, Sweden, that had sided against Napoleon demanded Norway in war reparations.

The founding fathers of the Norwegian nation gathered at Eidsvoll to declare Norway independent, acquire the Danish Prince Fredrik as the new head of state, and write a constitution based on the American and Spanish constitutions.

In response Sweden attacked, their soldiers being veterans of the Napoleonic wars, and Norway lost, quite handidly.

But the Norwegian Army, mostly young, inexperienced conscripts, managed three successful operations. And on THAT basis could demand some concessions in the following negotiations.

Norway would not get its own King, or it’s Independence, but through the sacrifice of those men, got to keep its constitution.

The Swedish King Karl Johan began construction of a Summer Castle in the middle of Oslo, that he painted Swedish Yellow, to remind the Norwegians of who was in charge. He also took two streets, leading up to the castle, connected them, and named them after himself.

In response, Norwegians began celebrating the 17th of Mai where we march, stepping up and down on the Street of Karl Johan and proudly display our flags to the Swedish construction.

95 years later Norway earned it’s independence from Sweden, with two armies meeting on the field of battle, without bloodshed, the nation being settled in a tent, with friendly conversation, lots of aquavit and something about some lost gaiters.

The tradition continues, but the friendship with Sweden, our „sweet brother“ also took root.

And then two months later, Sweden went to war to force us into a union.

This led to the constitution being revised in November 1814, with the King that was elected in May ousted, and the Swedish King „elected“ as the new Norwegian King. And us „stuck“ in a, supposedly „equal“, union with Sweden for 91 more years.