National holiday of Sweden
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The National Day of Sweden is celebrated on June 6 every year. The day was made into a national day by the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) in 1983, and before that was just known as Day of the Swedish flag. The tradition of celebrating the day began in the 1920s, in reverence of the crowning of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, considered the foundation of modern Sweden.
Starting the year 2005 it is an official Swedish public holiday, taking that honour from Whit Monday. This change may lead to more working-days as Whit Monday, unlike the 6th of June, always occurs on a Monday.
Related events
- 1523 - Gustav Vasa is elected King of Sweden, marking the end of the Kalmar Union.
- 1654 - Charles X succeeds his cousin Christina to the Swedish throne after her abdication.
- 1809 - Sweden promulgates a new Instrument of Government, which restores political power to the Riksdag of the Estates.
- 1857 - Sophia of Nassau marries the future King Oscar II of Sweden-Norway.
- 1974 - A new Instrument of Government is promulgated, making Sweden a parliamentary monarchy.
The events of 1523 and 1809 are generally regarded as the most important; the first establishing Sweden as a country, the other establishing the current system of government.