The 6th of June 🇸🇪

On June 6, 1523, Gustav Vasa is elected king of Sweden. It meant that Sweden broke away from the Kalmar Union with Denmark and Norway and once again became an independent country with its own king and a new royal dynasty, the Vasa family.

The Swedish National Day only became a public holiday in 2005. That, combined with the fact that it has been 210 years since Sweden was at war, has contributed to, in my opinion, that Swedes are bad at celebrating their National Day. Another factor is that the extreme right, unlike the Average Joe, is strongly nationalistic and has always used the Swedish flag. This has contributed to Average Joe avoiding showing the Swedish flag in everyday life. However, it has improved in recent years.

Our little family has always celebrated National Day since it became a public holiday. The first time we went out into town and waved the Swedish flag, it felt unfamiliar and even a little uncomfortable.

The first time I celebrated a National Day was on July 4, 1992 when we visited my aunt and her American husband. That day is one of my dearest core memories. Sweden has a long way to go until we reach this standard, but we are at least a little on the way.

Happy Independence Day