New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1914-05-13
Minnesota Will
Honor Norway
Norwegians Laying Great Plans
For Observance Of May
18th.
100 Years Since Norway Asserted
Its National Indepen-
dence.

May 18th is a proud day this year for
our respected Norwegian citizens of
whom there are thousands within the
borders of the North Star State for it is
the one hundredth anniversary of the
signing Of the Norwegian constitution
and the 18th day of May is sort Of
Fourth Of July, with the added interest
this year of the centennial. The chief
celebration of the event will take place
in Norway at Christiania and in this
country there will be three days OBJ
servance of the occasion at the Min
nesota State Fair Grounds May 10Th,
18th and 18th. Norwegians from all
over the United States have, for several
weeks been making preparations for
the trip to Norway and those who can
not go, without doubt will be present at
the Minnesota celebration which will be
the only general observance in the coun-
try.
From 1880 until 1914 Norway was
united with Denmark under one king.
When Napoleon was overrunning Europe
the King of Denmark formed an alli-
ance, with him. Napoleon defeated was
and Denmark was forced by the powers
thatIoverthrew him to give up her claims
on Norway which was coded to Sweden
This high handed method Of disregard
ing any claims of the citizens OF Norway
aroused them to action and conven-
ton was called at Eidsvold in the spring
of 1874.
convention labored until they had
produced constitution which declared
the Norwegians an independent people.
This, constitution was signed May 18th.
From that time on, tho under one king
with Sweden, Norway had its own
separate representative governing body.
The initiative in the celebration in
America has been taken by the "Bygde-
lags, organizations of persons who trace
their origin from some particular civic or
geographical division of Norway, similar
to our states or countries. There are
now some thirty of these organizations
representing practically every portion of
Norway. Saturday the 10Th will be
devoted to meetings of the various
"Bygdelags" concluding with a general
meeting and a display Of fireworks in the
evening. On the 18th, Sunday, the
exercises will be of character BETTING
the day. A number of bishops Of the.
Church of Norway will be present and
will conduct religious services. In the
evening great concert will be held in
one Of the largest buildings on the fair
grounds.
On Monday the great civic celebration
will be held. Hon. H. Bryn, Norwegian
minister to the United States, has been
specially delegated to represent the Nor
wegian government at this meeting and
will bring message from Norway. An
attempt is being made to induce Presi-
dent Wilson to attend the meeting and
he has promised that if he is unable to be
present he will send representative Of
the government, probably Vice President
Marshall.
Senator Knute Nelson of Minnesota,
who was born in Norway, will probably
acr as chairman at the great celebration
exercises and many other prominent men
of the Northwest will take part.
I K B. Birkland, chairman of the citi-
zens committee, will give the address
of welcome; Rev. H. X. Madison, Chicago
will deliver patriotic address in the
mother tongue James A. Peterson will
deliver the address in English.
A large male chorus composed of the
various Norwegian male choruses in the
city will sing six Of the best known Nor
wegian songs and hymns under the
directions Of Prof. E. Guile. A chorus
of $50 school shildren from the sixth and
seventh grade under the direction Of i.
P: Giddings, will sing at intervals during
the day. The children will wear red,
white and blue capes arranged to repre-
sent the Morse flag.
Instrumental music will be offered by
the locally celebrated st. Olaf College
brass band Of Northfeld, Mimi, under
the leadership Of Prof. M. F. Christian
son, who last year visited Norway with
the organization and won much renown.
The Hippodrome will be beautifully
decorated for the event with flags, hunt
ing, banners and emblems.
The railroads are making special pre-
parations to handle the people who will