National holiday of Iceland — Day of the proclamation of the Republic of Iceland (Ice. Þjóðhátíðardagurinn) is celebrated widely and cheerfully in the country.
The history of the struggle for Icelandic independence is as follows. Having existed since 930 as an independent state, in 1262 Iceland became a colony of Norway, and in 1380 — was a possession of Denmark.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the ideas of the French Revolution became widespread in the countries of the Danish Kingdom, and Icelanders began to seek political freedoms and local self-government. The national liberation movement was led by statesman Jon Sigurdsson (June 17, 1811 — December 7, 1879), who also advocated the abolition of the Danish trade monopoly.
His efforts were successful. In 1843, the Althing was restored (the tradition of a convention in the week «mid-summer» for the All-Icelandic Ting — people's assembly, where controversial issues were resolved, sued and laws were passed), in 1854 the Danish trade monopoly was abolished, and in 1874 the Constitution was adopted, granting Iceland limited autonomy.
However, Iceland's independence was won only in 1918, when it was recognized as a sovereign state in union with Denmark. In 1944, the union was dissolved, and on June 17, the — birthday of the leader of the Icelandic liberation movement, Jón Sigurdsson, was declared the Day of Proclamation of the Republic of Iceland, the celebration of which is currently accompanied by colorful parades, concerts and street theater performances, folk festivals and music.
One of the unusual events of the Day is associated with the geyser (Geysir) —, the same geyser that gave its name to all geysers in the world. Surfactants are injected into the geyser, after which it begins to work with unprecedented force. The spectacle attracts many spectators.