Day Of Liberation
Day of Liberation is a flag day holiday observed annually in Norway on the 8th of May. This holiday commemorates the end of the Nazi occupation during WWII. Known in Norwegian as Frigjøringsdagen, this holiday also serves as Veterans Day for Norway. On May 8, 1945, Nazi forces withdrew from Norway after over five years of occupation.
Norway (Observance, flag day)On that day, the people of Norway took to the streets to celebrate their freedom. It has been celebrated as a holiday ever since. Since this is an official flag day, the Norwegian flag is usually flown on all public buildings and by many citizens.
The History Of Day Of Liberation
On April 9, 1940, the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began during WWII following Operation Weserübung. On June 10, 1940, armed resistance to this German invasion came to an end, and Norway would be continuously occupied by the Wehrmacht.
The Norwegian king, Haakon VII, escaped to London, where they formed a government in exile, all while the pro-Nazi puppet government, the Quisling Regime, acted in collaboration with the Reich Commissariat of Norway to enact civil rule. On May 8, 1945, the Nazi occupation of Norway ended, and Norwegians spent the following days celebrating their freedom.
Fun Facts About Norway
We’ve gathered together a couple of facts about Norway that we think people interested in this holiday might want to learn about. We’ve listed these fun facts below.
- The Lærdal Tunnel is the world’s longest road tunnel and runs for 15 miles.
- Bouvet Island, a Norwegian territory, is the most remote island in the world.
- The first United Nations Secretary-General was Norwegian.
- Ancient and modern skiing were invented in Norway.
- The biggest herd of wild reindeer in Europe roams Norway freely.
- Thor Bjørklund of Norway invented the cheese slicer.
Observing Day Of Liberation
The Day of Liberation is observed as a flag day, so businesses, private homes, and government offices will fly the flag of Norway. This day is not a public holiday, however, so businesses and offices will remain open on this day. On social media, people often use the hashtags #Frigjøringsdagen or #DayOfLiberation to spread the word about this holiday.
Norway (Observance, flag day)
