Senate Resolution No. 42

Introduced by Senator Corbett

May 13, 2014

Senate Resolution No. 42—Relative to Norway’s Constitution Day.

WHEREAS, Norway’s Constitution Day, which is celebrated
on May 17, commemorates the date when the nation’s constitution
was signed at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814. In Norwegian, this day
is usually referred to as syttende mai (May 17) or Nasjonaldagen
(The National Day); and

WHEREAS, The Norwegian Parliament, known as Storting,
held the first May 17 celebrations in 1836. From that point
onwards, it was regarded as the national day. The first children’s
parade was held in 1870. Interestingly, World War II ended in
Norway only nine days before Constitution Day -- on May 8,
1945. This was the time when the occupying German forces
surrendered in Norway; and

WHEREAS, Constitution Day celebrations follow a traditional
pattern of parades involving schools, high school graduates, bands,
and other members and organizations within the local community.
Many people, especially children, dress in their finest clothes on
this day. Some choose to wear a bunad, which is a traditional
Norwegian costume. There are many games, activities, and social
gatherings on this day; and

WHEREAS, From 1906 onwards, the Norwegian royal family
has gathered on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo, which is
Norway’s capital city, to wave to the marching children on
Constitution Day each year; and

WHEREAS, Many Norwegians and people with Norwegian
ancestry also celebrate the day in different countries around the
world. Celebrations, dinners, and festivals are held in various
places across the United States. These are supported by
organizations, such as Sons of Norway; and

WHEREAS, In some Australian cities in previous years, people
of Norwegian heritage participated in a special street parade to
celebrate Constitution Day on May 17. The Orkney Norway
Friendship Association celebrates Norway’s Constitution Day in
Orkney, Scotland, to recognize the islands’ strong historic links
with Norway; and

WHEREAS, Norway’s Constitution Day is a public holiday in
Norway. Schools, public offices, and businesses are closed. Road
users need to take into account that some streets, particularly in
the town centres, will be closed and there may be traffic because
of the parades that take place on that day, which attract crowds;
and

WHEREAS, The bunad, a traditional Norwegian dress, can be
worn during Constitution Day. It varies in appearance from region
to region, and may feature flower motifs, stripes, and pleats.
Embroidery can be used on many different parts of the costume,
including bonnets, belts, aprons, skirts, shirts, and bodices; and

WHEREAS, An abundance of flags are also seen on this day.
The Norwegian flag is red with an indigo blue Scandinavian cross
outlined in white that extends to the edges of the flag. The vertical
part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the
Dannebrog, the flag of Denmark; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California,That the Senate
hereby honors Norway’s 200th Constitution Day; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.