Gustavus Adolphus Day in Sweden (06/11)

On November 6, Sweden celebrates a day dedicated to one of the most revered historical figures in the country's history. On this day in 1632, King Gustav II Adolf (Swedish) died in the battle of Lutzen. Gustav II Adolf, 1594 - 1632), who ruled the country from 1611 to 1632.

Gustavus Adolphus Day (Swedish. Gustav Adolfsdagen) – is one of the official flag days in honor of which the national flag is raised in places established by law. In Finland, the celebration of Swedish Culture Day (Finnish) is timed to coincide with this date. Ruotsalaisuuden päivä, Swede. Svenska dagen).

The reign of King Gustav Adolf is considered one of the brightest pages in Swedish history. This man also left a noticeable mark on world history as an outstanding politician, commander and reformer. His memory is preserved by grateful descendants, as well as all Swedish citizens to this day.

The son of King Charles IX of Sweden, he was born in 1594. At the age of 17, after the death of his father, Gustav Adolf became king. Thanks to the efforts of his father, Gustav received a versatile upbringing. He was well educated, fluent in five or six languages. The fascination with mathematics and history also left its mark on the abilities and future nature of the monarch's reign. Gustav Adolf was involved in horse riding and fencing, and military science. Even as a teenager, he took part in meetings of the Sejm, where his father took him with him.

During a difficult period, Gustav Adolf ascended the throne. Sweden waged wars with Denmark, Russia and the Polish - Lithuanian Commonwealth for strengthening its position in the Baltic and territorial takeovers on the Baltic coast. These wars significantly depleted the country's resources, and the young king managed to adequately withdraw Sweden from them, expanding its possessions through territorial acquisitions in Russia, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Germany. He personally participated in military campaigns, showing military talent, valor and courage, which earned him the respect of soldiers, and among friends and enemies he received the nickname «Lev Sever».

In addition to his achievements in the military field, Gustav Adolf also managed to deal with internal government issues. He carried out public administration reform, administrative, military, financial, judicial reforms, initiated the active construction of the fleet and new cities, including Sweden's second largest city – Gothenburg. The development of the education system under the king was expressed in the construction of schools, the restoration of Uppsala University, and the founding of the University of Dorpat.

Gustav Adolf raised Sweden's status on the foreign policy scene to the level of leading European powers, strengthened the country's position in the Baltic, and modernized the internal political structure of his state. The country's participation in the Thirty Years' War (1618 - 1648) brought new glory to the Swedish king, but was also the end of his bright reign and life.

On November 6, 1632, while leading an attack by Swedish cavalry at the Battle of Lutzen, Gustav Adolf died. His embalmed body was taken to Sweden and buried in a crypt in Stockholm's most famous church on the island of Riddarholmen.

For more than a hundred years, Sweden has celebrated the memorable day – Gustav Adolf Day on November 6th. According to a tradition that originated in the early 20th century, confectioners bake cakes with the image of the king's portrait for this day, which are very popular among Swedes. It is believed that this tradition was born in Gothenburg, founded by the monarch himself. Here, in the 19th century, on the initiative of the residents, the main square, called the Bolshoi Square according to the established tradition in the country, was renamed Gustav Adolf Square, and in 1854 a monument to the famous king was erected in its center.

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