Constitution Day (Denmark)
Grundlovsdag | |
---|---|
The National Constitutional Assembly, 1849 | |
Also called | Constitution Day |
Observed by | Danes |
Type | National |
Significance | Anniversary of the Danish constitution (both the 1849 and 1953 versions) |
Celebrations | Speeches by politicians |
Date | 5 June |
Next time | 5 June 2019 |
Frequency | annual |
In Denmark, Constitution Day (Danish: Grundlovsdag) is observed on 5 June.[1][2] The day honors the Danish Constitution, as both the first constitution of 1849 (which established Denmark as a constitutional monarchy) and the current constitution of 1953 were signed on this date of their respective years.[3]
Though it is not an official national holiday per se, collective labor agreements usually give workers half a day or the whole day off on Constitution Day.[4] Most shops and workplaces close at noon on this day[5] and political rallies and meetings are traditionally held.[3]
The day is widely celebrated throughout Denmark with church congregations, associations and political organisations meeting for what is essentially "secular services". These services include the raising of the Flag, a short presentation by a local politician or celebrity, and collective singing (Danish: fællessang). Celebrations usually end with coffee and the eating of traditional buns.
This day is also Father's Day in Denmark.[3][6]
References
- ↑ National Days – um.dk, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ↑ Constitution Day in Denmark (a letter from US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, on behalf of US President Barack Obama, to the Danish people) – US Department of State – state.gov. Retrieved 6 February 2012
- 1 2 3 Constitution Day Archived 2011-09-07 at the Wayback Machine. – Denmark.dk, the official website of Denmark. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ↑ "Er Grundlovsdag en fridag?" (in Danish).
- ↑ Opening hours – shops – VisitDenmark.dk. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
- ↑ "Fars Dag" (in Danish). Dansk Historisk Fællesråd. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2012.