v39_1067 - ISLANDE - RÉPUBLIQUE 500 couronnes 1961

ICELAND - REPUBLIC

(since 1944)

The island was occupied by the Norwegians in 874. In 930, a republic was formed with the oldest parliament in the world. Iceland became Norwegian in 1262, then Danish from 1380. In the 19th century, under the influence of a few scholars including the historian Jon Sigurdsson who lives in Denmark, nationalist and progressive ideas developed. Leader of this movement, Sigurdsson devoted his entire life to the emancipation of his country and quickly became a national hero. In 1843 he obtained the restoration of the Alping as a consultative assembly, then in 1854 the abolition of the Danish monopoly on trade. In 1874, the King of Denmark, Christian IX, granted Iceland its first constitution. The Icelandic crown is also created at this time. Enjoying even greater autonomy from 1918, Iceland became independent on June 17, 1944..