Finland Independence Day on 6 December is held to commemorate Finland’s declaration of independence from the Russian Republic. The history behind Finland’s freedom was the nomination of Finland to end up an autonomous state on December 6, 1917.
The Independence Day of Finland is celebrated every year on December 6 to commemorate Finland’s declaration of independence from Russia in 1917. This special day is the combination of solemnity and enjoyment, where the whole nation remembers those who sacrificed their lives for Finland’s freedom. The Finnish Independence Day is a national holiday. All offices, schools, businesses, and institutes remain closed.
Finland National Day in : Which Anniversary & How Many Years?
Finland’s Independence Day in falls on Monday, 6 December. This year, the Finnish will celebrate their country’s 104 years of Independence — which means Finland’s 104th Independence Anniversary will be observed in .
Finland National Day |
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| Finland’s Independence Day is celebrated on 6 December – commemorating Finland’s declaration of independence from Russia in 1917. | |
| When Celebrated: | December 6 |
| Upcoming Date: | December 6, |
| inland |
Parades, Fireworks, Concerts, Balls, War Memorial Tributes
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| Significance: |
The important day of 6 December 1917 – when Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Parliament of Finland
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| Also called: |
Finland National Day, Finnish Independence Day, (Finnish: itsenäisyyspäivä), (Swedish: självständighetsdagen)
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| Greeting Quote: |
Happy Finland Independence Day
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| How many years of independence? | 104 years |
| Which anniversary? |
104th Independence Anniversary
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| Type: |
Public/National/State Holiday in Finland
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Jump To A Particular Section:
Finland Independence Day Dates
Finland Independence Celebrations
Finland Independence Traditions
Finnish Independence FAQs & Facts
Happy Finnish Independence Day Wishes
Happy Finnish Independence Day Greetings
Happy Finnish Independence Day Messages
Finnish Independence Day Songs
Finnish Independence Day Images
Dates of Finland Independence Day
| Holiday | Year | Date |
Years of Independence
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| Finland Independence Day | Monday, December 6 |
104 Years of Independence
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| Finland Independence Day | 2022 | Tuesday, December 6 |
105 Years of Independence
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Finland’s Independence History
Around 10,000 years back, people started to move to Finland. They originated from the east from current Russia and from the south through the Baltic locale. The underlying foundations of the Finnish language are in Central Russia, however, the language has elements of Baltic and Germanic dialects, as well. Swedish-speaking people are said to have lived in Finland for more than 800 years!
Finland Under Sweden Rule
Finland remained a part of Sweden for more than 600 years from the Middle Ages until the mid 19th century. During this time, Sweden and Russia battled regularly over their impact in Finland. At long last in 1809, Finland completely went under Russian rule after Russia won its war against Sweden.
Finland Under Russian Rule
Finland remained under Russian rule from 1809 to 1917. During this period, Finland was self-sufficient, which implied that Finns could settle on numerous issues independently and make decisions on their own. However, the leader of Finland was the Emperor of Russia.
The language, culture, and economy of Finland grew significantly during the 100-year under Russian rule. However, in the 20th century, Russia started to limit Finnish self-rule and gradually put so many restrictions on Finnish which meant that the Finnish could no longer make independent decisions. This angered the Finns.
Finland Breaks Away From Russia and Picks Up Independence
In the last phases of World War I, Finland separated itself from Russia when the Parliament of Finland endorsed the declaration of independence on 6 December 1917. This made Finland a free nation, and the day is today celebrated as Finnish Independence Day.
In the spring of 1918, a civil war broke out in Finland in which the Reds representing the working people and the Whites representing the bourgeoisie and landowners battled each other. The war finished in May 1918 with the Whites picking up triumph over the Reds.
Independent Finland turned into a republic where laws are passed by a parliament elected by the general population. The head of state is the president, rather than a king or emperor.
Two Major Wars That Finland Fought After Independence: Winter War and Continuation War
Toward the finish of November in 1939, the Soviet armed force attacked Finland. During World War II, Finland battled two wars against the Soviet Union: first, the Winter War from 1939 to 1940, trailed by the Continuation War from 1941 to 1944.
The wars made Finland lose territories to the Soviet Union. More than 400,000 Finns left the lost areas as refugees to run away to Finland that still remained. In any case, the most vital thing to the Finns was that Finland maintained its independence!
Finland Independence Day Celebrations
On Finland Independence Day, various formal and informal get-togethers occur all through the nation. In any case, the highlight occurs at night, when the President holds the Independence Day Reception, a gala event for VIPs. The invitees include high-positioning military officers, legislators, police authorities and ambassadors, and in addition prominent athletes, performers, and activists. This occasion is broadcasted on national television, and half the population of Finland watch this event live on their TV screens!
Then there are those Finns also organize special receptions, parties, and dances. Some even hold Independence Day dinners in their homes, where the visitors spruce up, eat a lavish feast and drink sparkling wine, with the President’s reception gala event on television in the background.
Finnish schoolchildren get a chance to have their own Independence Day Function. In Helsinki, the mayor welcomes the city’s fourth-graders to Finlandia Hall, the iconic landmark planned by Alvar Aalto.
Everybody in Finland has her or his own particular manner of observing Finland’s independence from Sweden and Russia. The primary point is that the nation endeavored to pick up its freedom and fought energetically to keep it. Finns learn at a young age that self-determination should never be underestimated. They are reminded of this consistently on December 6.
Finnish Independence Day Customs & Traditions
There are patriotic speeches, visits to burial grounds, tributes at war memorials and church services. Wearing their conventional white tops and carrying torches, students in Helsinki begin at Hietaniemi Cemetery and walk to Senate Square, where they tune in to independence day speeches and music. The President grants awards and medals to a few thousand people for extraordinary accomplishments.
Finns put blue and white candles in their windows, the bakeries and cafes in the nation offer blue and white cakes and pastries, shops are enhanced with blue and white decorations and there are blue and white flags on display all over the place.
On television, you can hear energetic music, you can tune in to informative discussions and watch the legendary film The Unknown Soldier Fighter (the old version), a passionate story based on Väinö Linna’s novel about the World War II.
Finns are for the most part in a decent mood on this day and love eating a merry feast with their family or friends.
The National Flag Of Finland
The Finnish Flag was made official in a law authorized on May 29, 1918, around a half year after Finland had achieved independence. The flag marks a blue Nordic cross on a white background. It takes two different forms, the national (civil) flag, and the state flag.
Both the state and civil flags are identical to each other, yet the major difference between them is that the state flag has a coat of arms in the center.
What Does The Flag Of Finland Represent?
The Finnish Flag is based on the Scandinavian cross. The unique design of the flag was adopted after independence from Russia when many patriotic Finns demanded a uniquely-designed flag for their country.
The flag features two colors: Blue & White – both of which symbolize different concepts on Finland.
- The blue coloring represents the country’s thousands of lakes and the sky.
- The white coloring is said to represent the snow that covers the land in winter.
Finnish Independence Day FAQs
Want to learn even more about Finnish Independence and some interesting facts about Finland? Here we have answered the most frequently asked questions related Finland’s Independence and also a brief overview of the current life in Finland.
How is Finland Today?
- Finland had been a standout amongst the best performing economies within the EU before 2009 and its banks and financial markets kept away from the worst of the global financial crisis.
- As of now, Finland has a highly industrialized, free-market economy with per capita Gross domestic product nearly as high as that of Austria and the Netherlands and somewhat over that of Germany and Belgium.
- Trade is vital, with exports representing more than 33% of GDP. The administration is open to, and effectively finds a way to attract, foreign direct investment.
- Finland is generally focused in manufacturing – primarily the wood, metals, engineering, broadcast communications, and electronics enterprises.
- Finland exceeds expectations in the export of technology and advancement of new startups in the information and communication technology, gaming, and biotechnology sectors.
- Finland is the most stable, safest, freest country in the world. It has the best governance in the world, while the police and internal security are the second-best in the world.
- It has the least organized crime in the world. Next to Icelanders and Norwegians, Finns feel the second least insecure in the world!
- Furthermore, the judicial system is the most independent in the world, the country has the third least corruption, the top best press freedom, and the top best country in protecting fundamental human rights, in the world!
How Did Finland Become Independent?
The development for Finland’s independence begun after the revolutions in Russia, caused by unsettling influences inside Russia from hardships associated with the First World War. This gave Finland a chance to pull back from Russian rule. After a few contradictions between the non-communists and the social-democrats over who should have the power in Finland, on 4 December 1917, the Senate of Finland, driven by Pehr Eivind Svinhufvud, at last, made a Declaration of Independence which was adopted by the Finnish parliament two days later.
How Do They Celebrate Independence Day in Finland?
Finland’s Independence Day on 6 December is about recognizing those who lost their lives battling for the nation’s freedom, both in WWI and WWII. On cold snowy Independence Day evenings, family and friends meet up over warm beverages and sweet treats, tuning in to watch the Finland Annual Independence Day Reception at the Presidential Royal residence.
There are window decorations in stores, flag displays and other patriotic, beautifying things in the blue and white of the Finnish flag. The ones willing to brave the cool outside are blessed to receive the best of Finnish culture — hockey games, shows, art festivals, and celebratory processions. Wherever you turn, you’re met with irresistible energy, enthusiasm, and good cheer.
Happy Finland Independence Day Wishes
- Happy celebrating 104nd Independence Day Anniversary of Finland – very humble and thankful where I am from.
- Happy Independence Day, Finland! From this fortunate daughter of yours, grateful for solid roots, secure base to wander free in the world.
- It’s a privilege to be Finnish. No matter where in the world I am, I couldn’t be prouder to say I’m Finnish.
- Happy Independence Day Finland! Our beautiful and one-of-a-kind country.
- Happy Independence Day to our beloved Finland! We can be proud of our beautiful country and we should always remember and be grateful to all the ancestors who fought for our freedom.
Happy Finnish Independence Day Greetings
- Best Independence Day Greetings to all Finnish brothers and sisters! As we live here close to the Eastern border, we want to thank the veterans. Today the border you fought for makes Finland free and independent.
- Happy 102nd anniversary of independence to my beautiful homeland Finland. Eternal gratitude to those who sacrificed their lives to make this possible.
- Today #Finland celebrates Independence. In the gardens of heroes, there is a guard of honor standing by every tomb, the same age as the deceased. Thankful to the land of my fathers for the values, education, and strength you raised me with.
- I’m so extremely proud to have grown up in this amazing country and forever thankful for the people who fought for our independence.
- May our freedom last for future generations and may we remember those who fought for it. Happy December 6 greetings to all.
Happy Finland Independence Day Messages
- I’d like to wish all my Finnish friends a happy Finnish independence day! You have a beautiful, peaceful and very welcoming country.
- Happy Independence Day, Finland! We’re proud of our Finnish heritage – all the sisu and the innovative work that has taken us where we now stand. With the same courageous attitude, the next 100 years will be wondrous!
- Finnish people say being born in Finland is equal to winning a jackpot in the lottery, and I can’t really deny that! I’m grateful for being part of this beautiful, well-educated country.
- May the morning sun brings hope and fortunes to our country today as we are celebrating our 104 years of Independence.
- Let the spirit of freedom a chance to soar high up today. I wish you a fabulous celebration on Finnish Independence Day !
- On this day of Finland’s Freedom, I bow before the holy spirit of those heroes who sacrificed their lives for Finland’s Independence from Russia. May their souls rest in peace!