Children on Constitution Day

In Norway, May 17^th is one of the most exciting days of the year. Here the 17^th of May, called Grunnlovsdagen in Norwegian, celebrates the 1814 signing of the Constitution of Norway, which declared Norway an independent kingdom in a loose union with Sweden after centuries of Danish rule. Although full independence did not come for Norway until 1905, Constitution Day became heavily celebrated early on in the nation’s history. Then, in 1864 the first official celebrative tradition was launched with the first children’s parade in Oslo.To this day, elementary school districts and school marching bands across Norway take to the streets, marching with an abundance of flags and national pride.In Oslo, Constitution Day begins with the royal family emerging to greet the people from the main balcony of the their palace, but the true centerpiece of the celebration is the massive children’s parade including over 100 schools and marching bands from the city. Throughout the procession, each group of children, led by one of their senior classmates or faculty members carrying the school’s official banner, march in formal and traditional attire while playing and singing songs about the celebration. All along the way, thousands of spectators watch from the sidewalks, excitedly waving flags, blowing whistles, and shouting “HIP, HIP, HURRAH!”