Jun 17, 2019
Iceland National Day 2019
This Doodle’s Key Themes
After more than 400 years as a Danish colony, Iceland saw an independence movement take hold during the 19th century. This was thanks in large part to the efforts of Jón Sigurðsson, a philologist, historian, and statesman whose birthday has become Iceland’s National Day.
Today’s Doodle celebrates this North Atlantic island nation— known for its glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes—where festivities will take place in every town and village, particularly in the capital city of Reykjavík.
Cotton candy, balloons, face paint, and accordion music are the order of the day as flag bearers and scouts make their way from Austurvöllur Square to Hólavallagarður, where a wreath is laid on Sigurðsson’s grave.
Official ceremonies include speeches, a rendition of Iceland’s national anthem, "Lofsöngur,” and a poem read by Fjallkonan, "the lady of the mountain," a symbol of Iceland dressed in the national costume known as Skautbúningur. Iceland has a long tradition of strong feminine role models and was the first country to elect a female head of state in 1980.
Gleðilegan þjóðhátíðardag, Ísland!
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