It is estimated that 17th of May was instituted as a national holiday in 1936, the year when the Parliament celebrated the Constitutional Day for the first time. The day is an official flag day and children and adults have since the end of the 1800’s celebrated it more than what is usual for many other countries’ National Day celebrations.
Today the Norwegian celebration holds strong traditions and marks Norway as an independent state with democratic rights for all. Unlike other countries’ National Day, 17th of May is not commemorated with military parades but with children parades, where marching bands and school children march together. In general it is a day of festivities with Norwegian flags, old and young people festively dressed, many in Norway’s national costume; the bunad.
The parades are dominated by the sound of cheering and several traditional songs played by orchestras, typical for the 17th May. Among these is the official Norwegian national song, “Ja, vi elsker”. Every year since 1906 (except the years during occupation in 1940-1945), the royal family has greeted the children parade from their balcony of the Royal Castle.