The history of Iceland spans over 1000 years, and a lot has happened. We took together a few important dates for you which are useful to know. A good idea is to visit some of the places we mention during your travel in Iceland.
874-ish
Norwegian Vikings dissatisfied with the way the king, Harald I, was ruling the country go to sea and sail to Iceland. Ingólfur Arnarson is said to be the founder, and he set up shop in Reykjavík in 874.
930
The new nation of Iceland establishes the first parliament in the world, Alþingi, in Þingvellir to regulate the Icelandic Commonwealth.
1000
Icelanders vote to become Christian. Icelanders practice Norse Ásatrú for some years longer though.
1262
After decades of civil war between chieftains who had arrogated Iceland and their followers, Icelanders hold a meeting in Þingvellir and decide to make a deal with the Norwegian king to bring Iceland under the Norwegian crown. The East-Fjords don’t agree until two years later.
1415
Iceland became a Danish colony when Norway, Sweden and Denmark became a union with the Kalmar Union. Icelanders were not happy about that at all.
1550
The last Catholic bishop of Iceland was beheaded at Skálholt during the Protestant Reformation.
1783
The volcano Laki erupts in South-East Iceland. 25km long fissure with 130 crates opened up. The eruption lasted 8 months and the sulfuric aerosols that accompanied it has made the eruption one of the most important events of the last thousand years. 20-25% of the Icelandic population perished, as did 80% of sheep, 50% of cattle and 50% of horses.
1874
Icelanders got their very first constitution from the Danish king.
1904
Icelanders got home rule.
1918
Iceland became a sovereign and independent state in a union with Denmark.
1940
Britain invades Iceland. Icelanders were very relieved that it was the British army and not the German, who had already invaded Denmark and Norway at that point.
1944
Iceland declares independence from Denmark.
1949
Iceland becomes one of the founding members of NATO. Icelanders were not happy.
1980
Icelanders become the first nation to elect a female president, Vígdís Finnbogadóttir.
2008
The Financial Crash. Icelanders love being the best; the Financial Crash in Iceland was the biggest financial crash per capita in history.
Now you know the most historic moments in Iceland. If you like to learn more, go to our blogs about Icelandic Culture, or see practical information. We highly recommend it before visiting Iceland.
We also recommend booking a car with Blue Car Rental before travelling to Iceland.
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