Sittende Mai!

Hurrah! Today is Sittende Mai - Norwegian Constitution Day!

On May 17th, 1814, Norway's Constitution was signed and they began the road to independence....first from the Danes, and then the Swedes. Their constitution was modeled after our Constitution - and was signed a few decades later.

This is definitely a great day to be a Norwegian - I'm only half by heritage, but 100% in spirit! Many of the attendees were dressed in the traditional clothing of the region - everyone looked fabulous! (I definitely "need" a bunad!)











The celebration was held in Carderock Park....just outside of Washington, DC. We had the use of a pavillion as well as a live band to play the Norwegian Anthem and our National Anthem. It was a picture perfect day - warm, bright, and sunny - you couldn't ask for better weather. Our friends in Norway didn't fare as well....Oslo had some snow today and another town was blessed with half a meter of snow!










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The Norwegian Ambassador gave a wonderful speech - he's a very engaging speaker with a fabulous sense of humor. His wife and daughters were there as well - they were dressed in traditional bunads.

This was followed by a parade and a picnic. We all gathered together to line up for the parade and then began waving our flags and parading through the park.





















There were even games and activities for the kids....and the kids at heart!