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 (2019-06-05)
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

  1. ↑ National Days – um.dk, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  2. ↑ 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
  3. 1 2 3 Constitution Day Archived 2011-09-07 at the Wayback Machine. – Denmark.dk, the official website of Denmark. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Er Grundlovsdag en fridag?" (in Danish).
  5. ↑ Opening hours – shops – VisitDenmark.dk. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  6. ↑ "Fars Dag" (in Danish). Dansk Historisk Fællesråd. Archived from the original on March 31, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2012.
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