Independence Day

Many countries have a day for national celebration. Might be when the country became independent or another major event in its history.

The French celebrate July 14. Because on that day in 1789, in the midst of the French Revolution, the people stormed the most hated prison of them all, the Bastille in Paris.

In Sweden, the National Day is June 6. On this day in 1523, Gustav Vasa was elected king of Sweden. That ended the Kalmar Union that had bound Denmark, Norway and Sweden together under one Queen or King for over 100 years. Sweden was independent again.

Also on June 6, in 1809, a new constitution was enacted in Sweden, dividing power, thereby ending the King’s absolute power.

The 4th of July, Independence Day in the U.S., is well-known far beyond American shores. Even if it’s not celebrated in other countries (much to the surprise of some U.S. tourists abroad). Seems everyone has heard of the American Revolution though.

July 4, 1776, the original Independence Day

On July 4, 1776, 13 American colonies made themselves an independent country, proudly declaring:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life…