Finland is celebrating its 100th year of independence

Finland achieved its independence at the end of 1917. This came about partly as a consequence of the First World War and partly because society had gradually matured to the idea of seeking independence in the aftermath of the fall of the monarchy in March 1917.

After being under Swedish rule for 600 years, Finland was transferred into Russian hands in 1809 which was one of the outcomes of the Napoleonic Wars. Finland was granted autonomous status as a Grand Duchy with an administration of its own by the Russian Tzar.

Finland’s aspirations to independence were a natural outcome of the upsurge of nationalism in the second half of 19^th century. The actual ideological originator of the movement was J.V. Snellman, a professor of the University of Helsinki and a pupil of the German philosopher Hegel, who roused the Finnish-speaking majority of the population to demand linguistic and cultural rights for itself.

The idea of an independent Finland was advanced as early as in the 1850s, but it gathered real strength from the beginning of the 1910s when disaster threatened. The actual active independent movement was born during World War I and urged by the declaration of November 1914, after the outbreak of World War I, which on the grounds of state of emergency deprived Finland of all its special rights: the government was “russified” and measures were taken to for the destruction of the Finnish nationalism.

The overthrowing of the Tzar in March 1917 and the November Revolution triggered the so-called Independence Senate, led by P.E. Svinhufvud, to propose to Parliament that Finland should declare independence and that the new sovereign state should be a Republic. The Proposal was approved by Parliament on December 6^th, 1917. Foreign powers were unwilling to recognize Finnish independence before the Soviet government had done so. On 31 December 1917, upon the request of the Senate, Lenin’s government announced its recognition of the new state, after which France, Sweden, Germany, Austro-Hungary, Greece, Denmark and Norway quickly followed suit; Great Britain and the United States, on the other hand, recognized Finland’s independence only one and a half years later.

Finland’s Declaration of Independence

(...) To The Finnish People.

At the Finnish Parliament session today, has the Finnish Senate by its chairman forwarded to the Diet, among other things, a Proposition for a new form of government for Finland. By submitting the draft to the Parliament, has the Finnish Senate chairman on behalf of the Finnish Senate stated:

The Finnish Parliament has on 15th day of the last November, in support of Section 38 of the Constitution, declared to be the Supreme holder of the State Authority as well as set up a Government to the country, that has taken to its primary task the realization and safeguarding Finland’s independence as a state. The people of Finland have by this step taken their fate in their own hands: a step both justified and demanded by present conditions. The people of Finland feel deeply that they cannot fulfill their national duty and their universal human obligations without a complete sovereignty. The century-old desire for freedom awaits fulfillment now; The People of Finland has to step forward as an independent nation among the other nations in the world.(...)

The national festivities of Independence Day begin by raising the flag in Tähtitorni Hill in Helsinki. This is then followed by the festive divine service at the Cathedral of Helsinki, where by tradition, the President is also present. In the evening the President receives guests for the gala occasion which is held at the President's Palace in Helsinki. Approximately 2000 people are invited to this banquet every year and war veterans attend as the guests of honour.

Every Year on Independence Day, the Finnish Defence Forces arrange a military parade in one of the garrison cities. Independence Day is an official flag-raising day and in every home two candles are normally lit to honor the day.

Sources:  Find out about Finland, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Portraying Finland, Facts and Insights, Otava Publishing Company LTD.; A Brief History of Finland, Matti Klinge; A Brief History of Modern Finland, Martti Häikio, Finland 1917-1967 An Assessment of Independence, L.A. Puntila