Iceland’s Résumé
2005.06.17
Today, June 17th, is Iceland’s national day. From the very beginning to independance day, here is the small island’s résumé.
Date of birth: 20 millions years ago from volcanic parents
Place of birth: North Atlantic ocean, east of Greenland coast.
-20,000,000 – 874: I remain one of the world’s last larger islands uninhabited by humans.
874 – 930: I decide Man shall know my existence. Norwegian sailor Naddoddr, sailing to Faroe Islands, is lost and ends up on my soil. He names me Snæland (Snowland). I’m not sure about that.
Swedish sailor Garðar Svavarsson arrives accidentally on my coasts. He names me Garðarshólmi (Garðar’s island). Stupid.
Flóki Vilgerðarson is the first to come to me deliberately. He names me Ísland (Iceland). Perfect.
In 874, a Norwegian chieftain named Ingólfur Arnarson arrives in my smoky bay on the west coast (Reykjavík). His slave, Garðar Svavarsson decides to stay permanently and starts the permanent settlement. Some Norwegians, fleeing the harsh rules of their King Haraldur Harfagri, also come with their family for a new life on my land.
930 – 1262: In 930, men create Alí¾ingi (the Althing), the world’s first parliament, at ížingvellir. Chieftains amend laws, settle disputes, appoint juries to judge law-suit. There is no central executive power: a first true democracy.
My population growths continuously and some settle Greenland and east coast of Canada. Hum… Who discovered America first ?
My men are pagans, but decide at the Althing to Christianize themselves. In order to avoid civil war, pagans are allowed to worship secretly.
In 1262 I become a vassal of Norway.
Late 14th century: Denmark and Norway form one country. With me.
1814: The two Scandinavian kingdoms split. Denmark keeps me for itself.
Early 19th century: National consciousness revives.
1874: Denmark grants me home rules, extended in 1904. I have my constitution.
1940: Germans occupy Denmark. The Althingi decides to take care of me by themselves. I remain strictly neutral during the war, but Allied forces, in violation of international laws, invade and occupate my territory (hum, déjí vu?). Well, fortunately for my population, they are not German.
1941: Beginning of the American responsibility of my defense. There’s more soldiers than grown Icelandic men.
June 17, 1944: I am an independent republic.
September 4th, 2007 - 20:52
Brilliant!
Less importantly,the Danes also had a colony on the S-W coast of India (Malabar coast) for few years. This failed miserably.
G