Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1914-04-22
NORWEGIAN CENTENNIAL
At STATE FAIR GROUNDS
Preliminary Notice Of the Great
Gathering Of NorWegians
on May nth.

One hundred years ago this spring,
by the Treaty Of Kiel. Norway was
coded to Sweden following the over
throw Of Napoleon with whom an alli-
ance had been formed by the King Of
Denmark with which Norway had been
united for almost 500 years. The Nor
Wegians, when the anti-NapOleonic
powers gave Norway to Sweden, held
q convention at Eidsvold and planned
to safeguard their rights as nation.
This convention adopted constitution
which declared Norway to be a free and
independent kingdom and which estab-
lished a representative government for
the country.
This constitution was signed on May
II, 1914, and since then the day has
been observed as a national holiday, a
Norwegian Fourth of July. May 18th
next will mark the one hundreth year
Of the existence Of this constitution and
will be celebrated by NorWegians all
over the world.
For nearly hundred years Norway
and Sweden were united under the same
king. but in 1905 Norway withdrew
from this agreement and since then
has been pursuing her destiny under a
king of her own, the same constitution
still remaining the supreme law Of the
country.
This year the great celebration of the
day in the United States will be held
at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds,
neapolis. There are practically mill
ion and a half American citizens of
Norwegian birth or descent in the Unit
ed States and this celebration will be
fho univ ha11 {,,
The initiative in the celebration in
America has been taken by the "Bygde-
lags," organization of persons who
trace their origin from some particular
way. similar to our states or countries.
There are now organized some thirty of
these organizations representing prac-
tically every portion Of Norway:
for the great celebration at the Fair
Grounds. There will be a three day
celebration. Saturday the 10th will be
W with
the evening: On the 18th, Sunday. the
ex ercises will be Of a character beft--
the Church Of Norway will be present
and will conduct religious services. In
the evening a great concert will be
held in one Of the largest buildings on
the grounds.
ton will be held. Hon. H. Bryn, Nor
wegian minister to the United States,
has been specially delegated to repre-
sent the Norwegian government at this
meeting and will bring a message from
Norway. An attempt is being made to
induce President Wilson to attend the
meeting. and he has promised that if he
is unable to be present he will send a
representative Of the government, prob
ably Vice-President Marshall. There
will also be present number of gov
errors, members of congress and other
distinguished people from all over the
states that have large Norwegian pop
ulations.
Senator Knute Nelson of Minnesota,
who was born in Norway, will probably
act as chairman at the great celebra-
ton exercises and many otner proml-
nent men of the Northwest will take
part.
The railroads are making special pre-
parations to handle the people who will
attend the celebration and it is expect
ed that from 10000 to $4,000 men, wom-
en- and children who are proud Of their
Norwegian blood will be present.