Celebrating 100 Years of Sovereignty
Preparations underway for the parliamentary meeting. mbl.is/Hari
One hundred years ago today, Alþingi, the Icelandic parliament, voted to approve a treaty, or Union Law, made between the negotiating committees of Iceland and Denmark, declaring Denmark and Iceland free and sovereign states, associated with the same king. Only foreign affairs remained under Danish control. Both countries had the right to call for a review of the treaty, which came into effect on December 1, 1918,
During World War II, the treaty was indeed renegotiated. Icelanders decided to terminate it and to break all constitutional ties with Denmark. The Republic of Iceland was established on June 17, 1944, which has since been celebrated as Iceland’s National Day.
To celebrate the signing of the Union Law, Alþingi will today convene at Þingvellir national park, where the Icelandic parliament was founded in 930.
Today’s parliamentary session will commence at 2 pm. It is open to all and will be broadcast live on RÚV, the Icelandic national broadcasting station. Several thousands of people are expected to attend.
