View source for Independence Day (Finland)

{{Short description|Public holiday in Finland held on 6 December}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox holiday
|holiday_name  = Independence Day of Finland
|longtype      =
|image         = Suomi100 University of Helsinki main building 3.jpg
|caption       =
|official_name =
|nickname      =
|significance=The day the [[Finnish Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]] was adopted by the [[Parliament of Finland]]
|observedby    = [[Finland]]
|duration          = 1 day
|frequency          = Annual
|scheduling          = Same day each year
|date          = December 6
|celebrations  = [[Concert]]s, [[Ball (dance party)|Balls]]
|observances   =
|relatedto     = [[Finnish Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]]
|type          = National
}}
'''Independence Day''' ({{langx|fi|itsenäisyyspäivä}} {{IPA|fi|ˈitsenæi̯syːsˌpæi̯ʋæ|}}; {{langx|sv|självständighetsdagen}}) is a national public holiday in [[Finland]] and a [[Flag flying days in Finland|flag flying day]] held on 6 December to celebrate Finland's [[Finnish Declaration of Independence|declaration of independence]] from Russia after the [[Bolsheviks]] took power in late 1917.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Britannica |title=Finland - The struggle for independence |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Finland/The-struggle-for-independence |access-date=9 January 2022}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|Independence of Finland}}
[[File:Senate1917.jpg|thumb|The [[Senate of Finland|Finnish Senate]] of 1917, [[Prime minister of Finland|Prime Minister]] [[Pehr Evind Svinhufvud|P. E. Svinhufvud]] in the head of table.]]The movement for Finland's [[independence]] started after the [[Russian Revolution (1917)|revolutions in Russia]], caused by disturbances inside [[Russia]] from hardships connected to the [[World War I|First World War]]. This gave Finland an opportunity to withdraw from Russian rule. After several disagreements between the non-socialists and the social-democrats over who should have power in Finland, on 4 December 1917, the [[Senate of Finland]], led by [[Pehr Evind Svinhufvud]], finally made a Declaration of Independence which was adopted by the [[Parliament of Finland|Finnish parliament]] two days later.<ref>{{cite web |title=Päiväjärjestys – Torstaina 6 p. joulukuuta |url=https://avoindata.eduskunta.fi/digitoidut/view/ptk_1917_ii_1_300?language=suomi&year=1917&page=70 |website=Eduskunta.fi (Parliament of Finland) |publisher=[[Diet of Finland]] minutes |access-date=6 December 2020 |location=S.20 (1–3), pp. 365–371 |pages=70–75 |language=fi |format=PDF |date=6 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| author= Ohto Manninen| title=Itsenäistymisen vuodet 1917–1920. osa I: Irti Venäjästä| page= 227| publisher= Valtionarkisto| location=Helsinki| year= 1992| language=fi}}</ref>

Independence Day was first celebrated in 1917. However, during the first years of independence, 6 December in some parts of Finland was only a minor holiday compared to 16 May, the [[Whites (Finland)|Whites]]' day of celebration for prevailing in the [[Finnish Civil War]]. The left parties would have wanted to celebrate 15 November, because the people of Finland (represented by parliament) took power 15 November 1917. When a year had passed since declaration of independence, 6 December 1918, the academic people celebrated the day.<ref name="LK">{{cite web |url= http://www.tiede.fi/artikkeli/jutut/artikkelit/linnan_juhlia_vuodesta_1919 |title=Linnan juhlia vuodesta 1919 |last1= Kolbe |first1= Laura |date=2011 |website= Tiede |language=fi |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

==Observance==
[[Image:Independence Day of Finland 1940 (4344C; JOKAHBL3C A97-4).tif|thumb|left|Finland's Independence Day celebrations in Helsinki, 1940]]
[[Image:Flaggor Hallisbron 6.12.2012.JPG|thumb|Flying the flag of Finland is part of the Independence Day theme]]
During the early decades of independence, occasion marked by patriotic speeches and special church services. From the 1970s onwards, however, Independence Day celebrations have taken livelier forms, with shops decorating their windows in the blue and white of the [[Flag of Finland|Finnish flag]], and bakeries producing cakes with blue and white icing.<ref name="RS">{{cite web |url=http://finland.fi/life-society/finns-celebrate-freedom-every-december/  |title=Finns celebrate freedom every December |last1= Snyder |first1= Russell |date=2011 |website= Finland  |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

It is traditional for Finnish families to light two candles in each window of their home in the evening. This custom dates to the 1920s; but even earlier, candles had been placed in Finnish windows on poet [[Johan Ludvig Runeberg]]'s birthday as a silent protest against Russian oppression. A popular legend has it that two candles were used as a sign to inform young Finnish men on their way to [[Sweden]] and [[German Empire|Germany]] to become [[Finnish Jäger troops|jägers]] that the house was ready to offer shelter and keep them hidden from the Russians.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.guns.connect.fi/gow/petepai5.html| title = Gunwriters| work = P. T. Kekkonen| access-date =12 May 2006}}</ref>

==State festivities==
[[File:Finnish Leopard 2 tanks.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Finnish Independence Day Parade, 2009]] 
[[File:Finnish Independence day 2015 01.JPG|thumb|left|200px|Students' torch cavalcade on Independence day, 2015]] 
[[File:Sankarihaudat Maaria 6.12.2012.JPG|thumb|Candles at the [[War grave|hero's grave]] on Independence Day]] 
Official Independence Day festivities usually commence with the raising of the Finnish flag on [[Tähtitorninmäki]] ("Observatory Hill") in [[Helsinki]]. A religious service is held at [[Helsinki Cathedral]], and official visits are made to the [[Hietaniemi cemetery|war memorials]] of [[Military history of Finland during World War II|World War II]].{{citation needed|date=December 2018}} Another event is the annual military parade by personnel of the [[Finnish Defense Forces]], which is one of the big highlights and is a nationally televised event.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

[[YLE]], Finland's national public service broadcaster, broadcasts the 1955 film adaptation of ''[[The Unknown Soldier (1955 film)|The Unknown Soldier]]'' ({{langx|fi|Tuntematon Sotilas}}), based on [[Väinö Linna]]'s [[The Unknown Soldier (novel)|iconic novel]].<ref name="RS"/> In most years, the original 1955 film has been shown (dozens of times) and every year since 2000;<ref>[https://www.episodi.fi/uutiset/tuntematon-sotilas-on-itsenaisyyspaivan-perinne-mutta-miksi-puolustusvoimat-kieltaytyi-yhteistyosta-ja-urho-kekkosen-oli-puututtava-asiaan/ Tuntematon sotilas on itsenäisyyspäivän perinne, mutta miksi Puolustusvoimat kieltäytyi yhteistyöstä, ja Urho Kekkosen oli puututtava asiaan?] – ''Episodi'' (in Finnish)</ref> but the [[The Unknown Soldier (1985 film)|1985 version]] has also been shown once—in 1997 and in addition to the [[The Unknown Soldier (2017 film)|2017 version]] premiered in 2021.

The traditional torch cavalcade by students has been held annually since 1951.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.hameensanomat.fi/uutiset/kotimaa/249205-ylioppilaiden-soihtukulkue-jatkoi-itsenaisyyden-juhlintaa | title = Ylioppilaiden soihtukulkue jatkoi itsenäisyyden juhlintaa | website = Hämeen sanomat | date = 6 December 2013 | access-date = 7 December 2017}}</ref> The cavalcade is held in various towns and cities with a [[university]] and [[wreath]]s are placed on [[war grave]]s.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}

In the evening, the [[Independence Day Reception (in Finland)|Presidential Independence Day reception]] is held for approximately 2,000 invited guests at the [[Presidential Palace, Helsinki|Presidential Palace]]. This event, known informally also as ''[[Independence Day Reception (in Finland)|Linnanjuhlat]]'' ("the Castle [[Ball (dance)|Ball]]"), is broadcast on national television and has been a perennial favourite of the viewing public.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://yle.fi/uutiset/linnan_juhlilla_ennatysyleiso__lahetysta_seurasi_yli_26_miljoonaa_katsojaa/8508503?ref=leiki-uu | title = Linnan juhlilla ennätysyleisö – lähetystä seurasi yli 2,6 miljoonaa katsojaa | last =Mankkinen |first=Jussi | work = [[Yle]] | date = 7 December 2015 | access-date =6 December 2024 | language=fi}}</ref> The first presidential ball was organized in 1919, and the event has been held most years since.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/news/ShowArticle.asp?intNWSAID=67184&intSubArtID=27000&intIGID=9&LAN=FI&contlan=&Thread=&intThreadPosition=0&intShowBack=1&strReturnURL2=| title = History of the Independence Day reception at the Presidential Palace| work = The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland| access-date = 7 June 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090825071724/http://www.presidentti.fi/netcomm/news/ShowArticle.asp?intNWSAID=67184&intSubArtID=27000&intIGID=9&LAN=FI&contlan=&Thread=&intThreadPosition=0&intShowBack=1&strReturnURL2=| archive-date = 25 August 2009| url-status = dead}}</ref>

The reception invariably attracts the attention of demonstrators in support of various causes,<ref name="RS"/> and various demonstrations and shadow parties are held to coincide with the official event. The late philanthropist [[Veikko Hursti]] organized the most popular of these demonstrations, providing free food to the poor and underprivileged. Since Hursti's death in 2005, the tradition has been carried on by his son, Heikki Hursti.<ref name="YLE">{{cite web |url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/finnish_independence_day_galas_protests_and_war_memories/7671639 |title= Finnish Independence Day  |date=2012 |website= Yle  |access-date=29 April 2016}}</ref>

The most popular television segment of the Independence Day reception is the entrance of the guests. These include persons who receive invitations every year, including the knights of the [[Mannerheim Cross]] (traditionally the first ones to enter), members of the government and the [[Parliament of Finland]], archbishops, judges, high military and police officers, and various diplomats and dignitaries. The second group includes guests of the President's own choosing: typically entertainers; activists; sportspersons; and in general, people who have been in the spotlight over the past year. The last guests to enter are always the surviving former Finnish presidents.<ref name="RR">{{cite web |url=https://www15.uta.fi/FAST/FIN/FFOLK/rr-iday.html |title=The President's Independence Day Reception |last1=Rautiainen |first1=Riitta |date=2004 |website=University of Tampere |access-date=29 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202102846/http://www15.uta.fi/FAST/FIN/FFOLK/rr-iday.html |archive-date=2 February 2014  }}</ref>

[[Image:Independent Finland 90 years 5 euro Obverse.JPG|thumb|[[Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Finland)#2007 coinage|90th Anniversary of Finland's Declaration of Independence commemorative coin]]]]

==90th anniversary commemorative coin==
The 90th anniversary of Finland's Declaration of Independence was selected as the main motif for a high-value commemorative coin, the €5 [[Euro gold and silver commemorative coins (Finland)#2007 coinage|90th Anniversary of Finland's Declaration of Independence commemorative coin]], minted in 2007. The reverse shows [[petroglyph]]ic aesthetics, while the obverse has a nine-oar boat with rowers, symbolizing collaboration as a true Finnish trait. Signs of music and Finnish [[kantele]] strings can be discerned in the coin's design.<ref name=MOF>{{cite web | url=http://www.suomenrahapaja.fi/eng/commemorative-and-collector-coins/about-commemorative-and-collector-coins/collector-coins | publisher=Mint of Finland | title=List of Finland Collectors' Coins | access-date=27 June 2010 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616162116/http://www.suomenrahapaja.fi/eng/commemorative-and-collector-coins/about-commemorative-and-collector-coins/collector-coins | archive-date=16 June 2010 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==100th anniversary==
[[File:Erzsébet híd and Gellérthegy – lit in Finland's honour.jpg|thumb|Erzsébet híd and Gellérthegy – lit in Finland's honour]]
[[File:Bench in Finland 033 (Tammisaari-Ekenäs).jpg|thumb|Bench in [[Ekenäs, Finland|Ekenäs]]]]
The centenary of Finland's independence was celebrated in 2017. The theme was "Together."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suomi Finland 100 |url=https://suomifinland100.fi/ |access-date=2023-07-02 |website=Suomi Finland 100 |language=fi}}</ref>

===Global illuminations===
Country, city, site illuminated:
*{{flag| Argentina}}: [[Buenos Aires]], The [[Usina del Arte]]
*{{flag| Australia}}: [[Adelaide]], [[Adelaide Town Hall]]
*{{flag| Australia}} Brisbane, Story Bridge and Victoria Bridge
*{{flag| Australia}}: [[Canberra]], [[Telstra Tower]], the [[Old Parliament House, Canberra|Old Parliament House]], [[Majura Parkway|Malcolm Fraser Bridge]], [[Questacon]] – The [[Questacon|National Science and Technology Centre]] ([[Parkes Observatory|Parkes]])
*{{flag| Australia}}: [[Hobart]], Railway Roundabout Fountain, [[Elizabeth Street Mall]] and the Kennedy Lane Tourism Precinct
*{{flag| Australia}}: [[Perth]], The Council House building and [[Trafalgar Bridge (Perth)|Trafalgar Bridge]]
*{{flag| Austria}}: [[Vienna]], The [[Wiener Riesenrad]] Ferris wheel
*{{flag| Brazil}}: [[Rio de Janeiro]], [[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|The Christ the Redeemer statue]]
*{{flag| Bulgaria}}: [[Sofia]], The [[National Palace of Culture]]
*{{flag| Canada}}: [[Niagara Falls]]
*{{flag| Cyprus}}: [[Nicosia]], [[Tower 25|The White Walls building]]
*{{flag| Czech Republic}}: [[Prague]], The [[Dancing House]] designed by Frank Gehry
*{{flag| Estonia}}: [[Tallinn]], [[Stenbock House]] (The seat of the Government)
*{{flag| Estonia}}: [[Tartu]], The [[Vanemuine|Vanemuine Theatre]], Võidu sild Bridge,
*{{flag| Ethiopia}}: [[Addis Ababa]], Lion of Judah monument in front of the [[Ethiopian National Theatre]]
*{{flag| Greece}}: [[Athens]], The [[Arch of Hadrian (Athens)|Arch of Hadrian]]
*{{flag| Hungary}}: [[Budapest]], [[Elisabeth Bridge (Budapest)|Elizabeth Bridge]]
*{{flag| Iceland}}: [[Reykjavík|Reykjavik]], [[Harpa (concert hall)|Harpa Concert Hall]] and Conference Center
*{{flag| Ireland}}: [[Dublin]], [[Mansion House, Dublin|Mansion House]], the residence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin
*{{flag| Italy}}: [[Rome]], [[Colosseum|The Colosseum]]
*{{flag| Kazakhstan}}: [[Astana]], The bridges across the [[Ishim (river)|Ishim River]], St. Regis hotel
*{{flag| Latvia}}: [[Jelgava]], Railway Bridge
*{{flag| Latvia}}: [[Riga]], The Tower of the [[Riga City Council|Town Hall]] in the [[Vecrīga|Old Town]], the Railway Bridge across the [[Daugava|Daugava river]]
*{{flag| Lithuania}}: [[Vilnius]], [[Three Crosses|Three Crosses monument]]
*{{flag| Mexico}}: [[Mexico City]], [[Angel of Independence|The Angel of Independence monument]] (Ángel de la Independencia)
*{{flag| Mozambique}}: [[Maputo]], [[Fort Nossa Senhora da Conceição de Lourenço Marques|Maputo Fortress]]
*{{flag| Netherlands}}: [[Alkmaar]], Stadskantine Alkmaar
*{{flag| Norway}}: [[Oslo]], [[Holmenkollen]] ski jumping hill
*{{flag| Poland}}: [[Warsaw]], The [[Palace of Culture and Science]]
*{{flag| Portugal}}: [[Lisbon]], [[Belém Tower]] (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
*{{flag| Russia}}: Lumivaara in [[Ladoga Karelia]], Lumivaara Church
*{{flag| Russia}}: [[Moscow]], [[Embassy of Finland, Moscow|The Embassy of Finland]]
*{{flag| Russia}}: [[Petrozavodsk]], The National Theatre
*{{flag| Russia}}: [[Saint Petersburg]], The [[Russian Museum of Ethnography|Museum of Ethnography]]
*{{flag| Serbia}}: [[Belgrade]], [[Ada Bridge]], [[Palace Albanija|Palace Albania]]
*{{flag| Sweden}}: [[Stockholm]], [[Avicii Arena|Globen]]
*{{flag| Switzerland}}: [[Montreux]], The Mannerheim memorial
*{{flag| Ukraine}}: [[Kyiv]], The Embassy of Finland
*{{flag| United Kingdom}}: [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]], The [[Gateshead Millennium Bridge]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The world congratulates the 100-year-old Finland by lighting up in blue and white |url=https://valtioneuvosto.fi/en/-/10616/maailma-onnittelee-satavuotiasta-suomea-sinivalkoisin-juhlavalaisuin |access-date=2017-12-07 |website=Valtioneuvosto |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Finland|Holidays}}
* [[History of Finland]]
* [[Independence Day Reception (Finland)]]
* [[Timeline of Independence of Finland (1917–1920)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|Independence Day (Finland)}}
* [https://finland.fi/life-society/finns-celebrate-freedom-every-december/ Finns celebrate freedom every December] at ''thisisFINLAND''

{{Finland topics}}

[[Category:December observances]]
[[Category:1917 establishments in Finland]]
[[Category:Independence days|Finland]]
[[Category:Public holidays in Finland]]
[[Category:Finnish flag flying days]]