Constitution Day (Denmark)
Constitution Day (Danish: Grundlovsdag) is observed in Denmark on 5 June. The day honors the Constitution of Denmark, as both the first constitution of 1849 and the current constitution of 1953 were signed on this date of their respective years. Denmark is one of only a handful countries in the world not to have an official national day, but Constitution Day is sometimes considered the equivalent of such a day. It is also widely considered to be a day for celebrating Danish democracy.
| Grundlovsdag | |
|---|---|
Constitution Day celebrations in Frederiksberg Gardens. Drawn by Erik Henningsen, 1882. | |
| Also called | Constitution Day |
| Observed by | Danes |
| Type | National |
| Significance | Anniversary of the Danish constitution |
| Celebrations | Speeches by politicians |
| Date | 5 June |
| Next time | 5 June 2024 |
| Frequency | annual |
Though it has never been an official national holiday, Constitution Day was a half-day off work from 1891 until 1975. Since then, collective labor agreements have usually given workers a half-day or the whole day off on Constitution Day. Stores with an annual turnover of at most 41.4 million kroner can stay open on Constitution Day, but most stores must keep closed.
The day is widely celebrated throughout Denmark with church congregations, associations and political organizations meeting for what are essentially "secular services". These services include the raising of the Dannebrog (the Danish flag), a short speech by a local politician or celebrity, and collective singing (Danish: fællessang).