Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-29
NORWAY TO HOLD
BIC CELEBRATION
Thousands of Americans Will
Attend Festival to Com
memorate independence.

Christiana. Norway, April 20
Thousands of American visitors are
expected here during the summer to
witness the celebration of the CEN
tennial of the independence of Nor.
way from Denmark. The celebration
will also commemorate a hundred
years of peace on the Scandinavian
peninsula.
An exhibition which will seek to
show the progress made in Norway
during the last century. will be open
ed by King Haakon in Christiana on
May Is. Norse-Americans have been
invited to participate in the exhibit
ton and in the celebration generally.
In a special pavilion called Norway
Abroad" the Norwegians who have
sought a home in America will show
their home-staying countrymen the
life they lead in their adopted home.
The plans for the exhibition and
festivities have met with great inter
est and enthusiasm in the United
States, a substantial indication OF
which is the appropriation by North
Dakota of $4,000 for the expenses of
the official participation of that state.
Alfred Gabrielsen has arrived to take
charge of North Dakota's exhibit. Min
nesota and Wisconsin will also be
adequately represented, but in less
official way. An interesting feature
of the exhibit of these states will be
the publication OF special histories OF
the states. showing the strenuous
work of Norwegian pioneers. who
helped to build them up, and the pros
porous conditions under which they
now live.
One of the most interesting festiv-
tiles of the program will be great
home coming fathering of Norwegian
Americans, and preparations are be-
ing made to entertain at least $4,000
people. Some societies from the Nor
weRian states have chartered their
own steamships and will sail direct
from New York to Christiana. These
parties will be accompanied by their
own bands. Americans are expected
10 take a very conspicuous part in the
celebration. not only because OF the
large number of Norwegians settled
in America. but because of the good
feeling prevailing between the two
countries. The stars and stripes VIII
be seen everywhere displayed beside
the red, white and blue of Norway
In the parade of May IL the Decorah
college band from DEBORAH, Iowa, Will
march in the place of honor Under
the leadership of Professor Sparau
this band will tour Norway during the
summer.
The Fourth of July will be cele-
brated with all of its latest SAFE ana
sane attachments The celebration OF
Americas natal day will center ABOUT
the presentation of a statue of Lincoln
to Christiana by Governor Hanna OF
North Dakota. The governor VIII at
tend in person ard deliver the I'M
yelling speech. which will be followed
by a reception given by the American
minister. Albert G.. Schmedman, AT
the American club headed oy r.
Herman Gade. A banquet attended oy
King Haakon and the diplomatic
corps of the capital. will be held in the
OF the exhibition. II is ex-
pected that besides the 400 American
singers. who will come to participate
In the singing festival. the thousands
y unofficial Norse-Awerican visitors
md a host OF their Norwegian reia-
ives will unite in a demonstration 10
show honor to a country. which by |
Is held second IN al
lection only 10 their country.
The centennial will celebrate the
dramatic event which marked the
OF Norvay's history as ma
ion. In 1914 as the result OF the
lose Of the Napoleonic wars the great
covers of Europe forced Frederick VI
u Denmark to give up Norway when
lad been attached to Denmark Tor
"a years. to Sweden. and provided
uler for the acquisition in the peg
on of the Swedish crown prince.
,harles Jean Bernadotte. Sweden mad
n 1908 lost Finland to Russia after
rar, and was now given Norway In
The Norvegians rebelled against
his disposition Of their country, ana
nder the leadership OF Prince Chris
ian Frederick refused TO submit 10
iweden. In the face OF all Europe
,orway declared its independence
nd proceeded on May II. 1910 10
don't a constitution. The prince was
leeted king and since that day tne
7th Of May has been TO the people