Happy Finnish Independence Day!

Hyvää suomen itsenäisyyspäivää

Kivijarvi, Finland

Beta launching this website on Finnish Independence Day seems as though the planets have aligned. Today MANIFEST SISU comes to life! On this day in 1917, the Finnish Parliament formalized its declaration of independence.

Finland was part of Sweden, from medieval times to the early 19th century until Russia invaded Finland in 1808. Then it was given to Russia and became the Grand Principality of Finland within Russia.

When Russia was faced revolutions in 1917, Finland negotiated its sovereign independence

One year later, Finland was given to Russia. It became the autonomous Grand Principality of Finland within Russia. The Russian rule lasted until Imperial Russia was faced with the revolutions of 1917. At that time Finland negotiated sovereign independence which became official on December 6th.

The blue and white Finnish national flag is prominently displayed everywhere in Finland and is an Independence Day. The colors of the flag are everywhere and are as ubiquitous as the many blue lakes scattered throughout the country.

Candles are lit to lift the winter’s darkness. It is actually a fairly morbid and solemn “celebration” which focuses on honoring the sacrifices of previous generations.