850 A.D.
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Naddoddur who was a Norwegian Viking sails and lands in Reyðarfjörður which is East Iceland. He names the land Snæland which translates Snowland.
APA Citations: The Saga-Steads of Iceland: A 21st-Century Pilgrimage. (2011, March 25). Retrieved September 23, 2015, from http://sagasteads.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html |
861 A.D.
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Flóki Vilgerðarson a Norwegian Viking also known as Hrafna-Flóki sails to Iceland and spends two winters there. During his stay when it was cold in the spring he saw the cold spring he saw ice northwards in the sea. He then named the land Ísland - Iceland after the ice in the sea. He sailed back to Norway.the summer after his discovery.
APA Citation: About Iceland. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2015, from http://waterfire.fas.is/Iceland/Sagaislands.php |
*1000 AD
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Icelanders are converted to Christianity because the king of Norway had recently converted and wanted the countries he controlled to do the same. This was significant in the fact that it was most likely one of the most peaceful Christian conversions in history. It also put pagan beliefs on the back burner, although the practices could be done in private.
APA Citation: Hurstwic: The Conversion in Iceland. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/mythology/religion/text/conversion_in_iceland.htm |
*1402 A.D.
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The Black Plague is introduced to from an English ship. The plague takes out entire communities and wipes out about half of the population. This is significant because of Icelands' ability to bounce back from such a devastating disease even though it is such a small country with a small population.
APA Citation: The Black Death: Bubonic Plague. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.themiddleages.net/plague.html |
*1783
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The Laki fissure system produced one of the largest lava flow eruptions in historic times which destroyed more than thirty farms. This was significant because not only did the eruption kill many people and livestock but there was also ash that covered the population and created many health hazards.
APA Citation: Archives. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.techedon.com/tag/laki/ |
*1915
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Icelandic women receive suffrage. Iceland was one of the first countries to grant women full voting rights, giving way to their progressive views. This is important because during this time women's rights were very small and it was hard to fight for them at all so the fact that Iceland granted them rights so early was and still is amazing.
APA Citation: Iceland Gears Up For 100th Anniversary Of Women's Vote - The Reykjavik Grapevine. (2014, October 17). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://grapevine.is/news/2014/10/17/iceland-gears-up-for-100th-anniversary-of-womens-vote/ |
*1944
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Iceland officially gains independence from Denmark. They are able to adopt a new constitution, still with some Danish influences. This is significant because it is the first time that Iceland is not under foreign rule.
APA Citation: Marion kaplan photos : Iceland. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.marionkaplan.com/idx_iceland.html |
*1949
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The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is formed amongst North America and European countries to protect those nations against attack from the USSR. Iceland, although quite small, was able to be part of a significant collection of allies even without a standing army. They were able to contribute financially and with civil personal.
APA Citation: Is NATO a Viable Option in Defeating Islamic State? (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/is-nato-a-viable-option-in-defeating-islamic-state/ |
*1980
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Iceland elects first nationally elected female president in the world, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, further exemplifying Iceland’s foward movements for women.
APA Citation: International Theatre Institute ITI. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://iti-worldwide.org/ambassador_finnbogadottir.php |
Brief history of Iceland
Iceland was roughly the last European country to be settled. While it is said that Irish monks had inhabited it they fled when the Vikings found the land and took over. Iceland started out as with pagan and protestant practices because many were people who had fled Norway for free religious practices. However even though these people used Iceland as an escape, the country was still under control of Norway. When Olaf Tryggvason became King of Norway in 1000 A.D. he decided that the universal faith should be christianity. This change of faith was met with two types of people, those who embraced the christian faith and those who were Pagan worshipers. This created tension between the two groups however with the help of one important Icelandic leader Þorgeir Ljósvetningagoði the country was able to adopt Christianity and keep peace in the land. While most of Iceland's settlement and history can be found on the "Population & Settlement" page, one thing that was not touched in there that I want to talk about is Icelands' independence form Denmark. Iceland up until independence had been ruled by foreign kings since 1262 however throughout all of these rulings Iceland was able to keep their own unique traditions and culture. Icelands' independence is unique in that it came strictly through peaceful negotiations rather than bloodshed and wars. Danish rule over Iceland came to be in 1550. Iceland did not gain rule over its home country until 1904 however Denmark still had control over the foreign affairs, government, and defense. In 1918 Iceland was able to gain sovereignty as a separate kingdom but they still remained under the Danish King. In 1940 Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. The British government, fearing that Germany would gain control of Iceland too, gained British forces in their lands. A few years after the end of WW2 a referendum was held where Iceland adopted a new constitution and on June 17th, 1944 Iceland officially gained their independence.
APA Citations:
Home. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.visitreykjavik.is/travel/home-rule-independence
Iceland Accepts Christianity. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/njal100.html
Icelandic - History - of Iceland. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.icelandexport.is/english/about_iceland/history_of_iceland/
Iceland’s Road to Independence | Icelandic Roots. (2013, June 17). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.icelandicroots.com/icelands-road-to-independence/
Independence Day. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/iceland/independence_day.php
The History of Christianization. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.arnastofnun.is/page/the_history_of_christianization
APA Citations:
Home. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.visitreykjavik.is/travel/home-rule-independence
Iceland Accepts Christianity. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/njal100.html
Icelandic - History - of Iceland. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.icelandexport.is/english/about_iceland/history_of_iceland/
Iceland’s Road to Independence | Icelandic Roots. (2013, June 17). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.icelandicroots.com/icelands-road-to-independence/
Independence Day. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/iceland/independence_day.php
The History of Christianization. (n.d.). Retrieved November 24, 2015, from http://www.arnastofnun.is/page/the_history_of_christianization