| This is very
special and important day for every Norwegian and
their descendants anywhere. Young and old take
part in celebrations all across the country with
bands, banners and flags. Pictures of the
children’s parade in Oslo, as it passes in
review before the Royal family, are carried all
over the world. Norway
has been represented with diplomatic service in
San Diego since February 23, 1888. At that time
the Swedish/Norwegian union existed and when that
union was dissolved in 1905, Norway achieved
freedom. Before that time, Norway had alternated
in unions with Denmark and Sweden for 586 years.
The first Sons of Norway Lodge in San Diego was
established in 1912. House of Norway, Balboa
Park, dates back to 1934.
It was on 17th of
May 1814 that the Constitution was approved at
Eidsvoll after brief deliberations. The drafters
used other similar documents for reference and
among them the Constitution of the Unites States.
Norway was hoping for approval of their
application of independence at the conclusion of
the Napoleonic war, but the request was denied.
Freedom was finally granted in 1905 and the
Constitution of 1814 could finally be put to its
intended function. The Constitution of Norway is
the oldest in Europe and it is the second oldest
in the world still in force after that of the
United States.
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