Constitution Day around the world in 2023

Constitution Day around the world in 2023

  How long until Constitution Day?
Constitution Day
  Dates of Constitution Day around the world
2024 Various Jun 5
DenmarkWed, Jun 5Government Holiday
Faroe IslandsWed, Jun 5National Holiday
2023 Various Jun 5
DenmarkMon, Jun 5Government Holiday
Faroe IslandsMon, Jun 5National Holiday
2022 Various Jun 5
DenmarkSun, Jun 5Government Holiday
Faroe IslandsSun, Jun 5National Holiday
2021 Various Jun 5
DenmarkSat, Jun 5Government Holiday
Faroe IslandsSat, Jun 5National Holiday
2020 Various Jun 5
DenmarkFri, Jun 5Government Holiday
Faroe IslandsFri, Jun 5National Holiday
  Summary

Constitution Day commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Danish constitution of 1849

  Which countries observe Constitution Day in 2023?
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a public holiday Govt Holiday

When is Danish Constitution Day?

This holiday is always celebrated on June 5th.

Though it has never been an official national public holiday, Danish Constitution Day was a half-day off work from 1891 until 1975. Since then, collective labour agreements have usually given workers a half-day or the whole day off on Constitution Day. Government offices, banks and educational establishments are closed and stores with an annual turnover of at most 34.9 million kroner can stay open on Constitution Day, but all other stores must stay closed.

Private companies can decide whether to give employees a holiday and in some cases, this may be a half-day holiday. We would still recommend avoiding any meetings with colleagues or clients from Denmark on this day.

History of Danish Constitution Day

Constitution Day (Danish: Grundlovsdag) commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Danish constitution of 1849 by King Frederik VII, which established Denmark as a constitutional monarchy, following the Danish Constituent Assembly of 1848 and 1849. From 1660 until 1849 Denmark had been an absolute monarchy.

The constitution was completely rewritten in 1866 and again on June 5th 1915, when women's suffrage (given the vote) was introduced.

It additionally honours the constitution of 1953, which was adopted on the same day.

Traditions of Danish Constitution Day

As most businesses and shops are closed today, many Danes celebrate their nation's democracy and constitution with fællessang (group singing) and udendørsarrangementer (open-air gatherings) in public parks, where pølser (hotdogs) and beer are enjoyed by friends and family alike in the typically warm Scandinavian June weather.

While it is the closest day to a national day for the Danish, the day is not widely used to celebrate the constitution as is seen in other countries, for example, Norway.

Father's Day

This day is also Father's Day in Denmark, a tradition adopted by the Danish in 1935, but did you know that a PR failure in 1949 meant it isn't celebrated on the same day as the rest of Scandanavia?

Did you know?

Three facts about Constitution Day

The flag of Denmark is the oldest still in use today. According to legend, the flag came into Danish possession during the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219.

Founded in 1583, Dyrehavsbakken, or Bakken, located within the woods of Dyrehaven, is the world's oldest amusement park.

In Denmark, it is illegal to publicly burn or desecrate the flags of foreign countries, but it is legal to burn or desecrate the national flag, the Dannebrog.

More facts about Constitution Day

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