A constitutional referendum was held in Iceland between 20 and 23 May 1944.[1] The 1 December 1918 Danish–Icelandic Act of Union declared Iceland to be a sovereign state separate from Denmark, but maintained the two countries in a personal union, with the King of Denmark also being the King of Iceland. In the two-part referendum, voters were asked whether the Union with Denmark should be abolished, and whether to adopt a new republican constitution. Both measures were approved, each with more than 98% in favour. Voter turnout was 98.4% overall,[2] and 100% in two constituencies, Seyðisfirði and Vestur-Skaftafjellssýsla.[3]
The union with Denmark was dissolved on 17 June 1944. Since Denmark was still occupied by Nazi Germany, many Danes felt offended that the step was taken at that time. Nevertheless, King Christian X of Denmark sent a message of congratulations to Icelanders.
The Republican celebration was held in Þingvellir on 17 June 1944. At 13:30, Prime Minister Björn Þórðarson set the celebrations going, after which a religious ceremony was held. The Icelandic flag was raised and the members of the parliament rose from their seats as church bells rang. All declared unilaterally that Iceland would henceforth be a republic. The members of parliament then chose Sveinn Björnsson as the first president. Sveinn had been regent of Iceland and the King's placeholder during the war years. He was the only president not elected directly by the people of Iceland.
1944, icelandic, constitutional, referendum, constitutional, referendum, held, iceland, between, 1944, december, 1918, danish, icelandic, union, declared, iceland, sovereign, state, separate, from, denmark, maintained, countries, personal, union, with, king, d. A constitutional referendum was held in Iceland between 20 and 23 May 1944 1 The 1 December 1918 Danish Icelandic Act of Union declared Iceland to be a sovereign state separate from Denmark but maintained the two countries in a personal union with the King of Denmark also being the King of Iceland In the two part referendum voters were asked whether the Union with Denmark should be abolished and whether to adopt a new republican constitution Both measures were approved each with more than 98 in favour Voter turnout was 98 4 overall 2 and 100 in two constituencies Seydisfirdi and Vestur Skaftafjellssysla 3 Contents 1 Results 2 Aftermath 3 See also 4 ReferencesResults editQuestion For Against Invalid blank Totalvotes Registeredvoters Turnout ResultVotes Votes Abolition of the Act of Union 71 122 99 5 377 0 5 1 559 73 058 74 272 98 4 ApprovedNew constitution 69 435 98 5 1 051 1 5 2 572 ApprovedSource Nohlen amp StoverAftermath editThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed November 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message The union with Denmark was dissolved on 17 June 1944 Since Denmark was still occupied by Nazi Germany many Danes felt offended that the step was taken at that time Nevertheless King Christian X of Denmark sent a message of congratulations to Icelanders The Republican celebration was held in THingvellir on 17 June 1944 At 13 30 Prime Minister Bjorn THordarson set the celebrations going after which a religious ceremony was held The Icelandic flag was raised and the members of the parliament rose from their seats as church bells rang All declared unilaterally that Iceland would henceforth be a republic The members of parliament then chose Sveinn Bjornsson as the first president Sveinn had been regent of Iceland and the King s placeholder during the war years He was the only president not elected directly by the people of Iceland See also editIceland during World War IIReferences edit Dieter Nohlen amp Philip Stover 2010 Elections in Europe A data handbook p961 ISBN 978 3 8329 5609 7 Nohlen amp Stover p967 Halfdanarson Gudmundur 2001 Islenska thjodrikid uppruni og endamork p 139 nbsp nbsp This Icelandic elections related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1944 Icelandic constitutional referendum amp oldid 1134744733, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
