Iceland Becomes a Republic
Iceland became a republic on June 17, 1944, marking a significant shift in its governance and national identity. This date is now celebrated annually as National Day, a public holiday in Iceland. The island, settled in the 9th century primarily by Viking explorers, has a rich history that includes the establishment of the Allthing, one of the world’s oldest parliamentary systems. Initially ruled by Norway and later Denmark, Iceland faced economic hardships under foreign dominion, particularly due to trade monopolies imposed by the Danes.
In the 19th century, reforms in Denmark led to increased autonomy for Iceland, culminating in home rule in 1904 and a nominal independence in 1918, though it remained linked to Denmark through a shared monarchy. The situation changed dramatically during World War II when Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. In response, Iceland held a national referendum in 1944, where an overwhelming majority voted for a republic without a monarch. This transition allowed Iceland to assert its independence and sovereignty, with Sveinn Bjornsson becoming the nation’s first president. The establishment of the republic marked a new chapter in Iceland's history, affirming its identity as an independent nation.
On this Page
Iceland Becomes a Republic
Iceland Becomes a Republic
Iceland became a republic by proclamation on June 17, 1944. This event is honored annually in Iceland as National Day, which is an official public holiday.
Iceland is an island in the middle of the northern reaches of the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the few places on Earth not reached by humans before the development of civilization. In the ninth century a.d., the first known settlers arrived. Although some Christian monks from Ireland may have reached Iceland before then, it is traditionally accepted that the Norwegian Viking explorer Ingolfur Arnarson was the first person to establish a settlement there, on or about the year 870. Iceland has possibly the world's oldest parliamentary form of government, namely the Allthing, which goes back to roughly 930.
Located at the edge of the Viking world, Iceland was a launching point for expeditions farther across the Atlantic to Greenland and even North America. While its colonies in Greenland and North America were of no lasting significance, Iceland remained an important part of the Nordic world, valued for the great natural fishing grounds in its vicinity. It was ruled first by Norway and then by Denmark.
For centuries the Icelanders were harshly treated by their Norwegian and Danish overlords. The Danes imposed a trade monopoly which impoverished the nation and devastated the population so severely that for a time they seriously considered relocating the remaining people to rural parts of Denmark. However, in the 19th century the absolutist monarchy of Denmark was reformed, and with it came an increase in the political and economic liberties of the Icelanders as well. The Allthing was given some domestic autonomy, and free trade with all nations was permitted in 1854. The result was an economic boom as Iceland rapidly caught up with the rest of Europe. In 1904 Denmark granted Iceland home rule, which was followed by a nominal grant of independence in 1918, recognizing Iceland as an independent kingdom. However, the Danish king was to remain the king of Iceland for 25 years under the Treaty of Union, so Iceland was still effectively bound to Denmark.
The dual kingdom–one king arrangement lasted until World War II, when Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. British troops landed in Iceland to defend it, so the Icelanders were spared Nazi rule. When the Treaty of Union expired in 1943, Denmark was still under German occupation, so the Icelanders decided to hold a national referendum to decide their future form of government. Over 95 percent of the electorate voted for independence from Denmark as a republic, with no monarch. Iceland was officially declared a republic by proclamation on June 17, 1944, and Sveinn Bjornsson became its first leader.