May 17th

    After being under Danish rule for some 400 years Norway had her own revolution in 1814. A very peaceful revolution consisted of calling a constitutional convention which declared that Norway is a free kingdom.

    The constitution of the Kingdom of Norway proclaimed by the Constituent Assembly at Eidsvold on the 17th of May 1814.

    The Constitution day is still the most celebrated in the nation. But it is not celebrated - as independence day in other nations - with large military parades with arms and weapons.

    Norway's birthday is celebrated with party-clothed children and adults who walk in a parade singing.

    Songs, Banners & Parades

    Children march down the streets singing national songs. On the morning of May 17th children meet at the school early in the morning and march down to a specific place. While they march, they sing the national songs. They also make banners which are called faner in Norwegian.

    Graduating Students Celebrate

    The "Russ" are students who are just about to graduate from secondary school, so they are about 17/18 years old. The "Russ" stay up all night and wear funny hats and red and blue outfits. They drive around in a red or blue bus, which they have bought themselves. Unfortunately there's a lot of drinking during this celebration. The "Russ" also make something called "Russekort". "Russekort" are cards on which there is a picture of them, and they have written something like a joke, their biggest accomplishment or something they want to achieve. Some print thousands of cards which they pass out to children or anyone who wants them.