The First “Day of the Icelanders” -The 1874 Milwaukee Icelandic Festival

Icelandic Roots Public Webinar - 21 July 2025

By Sunna Olafson Furstenau

Today, the descendants of Icelanders across North America celebrate two significant events on the weekend preceding the 1st Monday in August. Íslendingadagurinn, or the Icelandic Festival of Manitoba, is held in Gimli, Manitoba, and the 2nd of August Icelandic Celebration or Deuce of August Icelandic Celebration in Mountain, North Dakota. 

The Manitoba festival began in Winnipeg in 1890 and moved to Gimli in 1932. The Mountain celebration started in 1899. Both festivals honor our shared Icelandic heritage and culture, attracting people from Iceland, descendants of Icelanders, and cultural enthusiasts.

Interestingly, before these contemporary celebrations took root, the first “Day of the Icelanders” was celebrated on August 2, 1874. Iceland had been under harsh Danish rule for hundreds of years, and the people wanted their freedom. 1874 was the 1,000th anniversary of Iceland's settlement. Additionally, Danish King Christian IX finally approved a new constitution to allow Icelanders limited home rule.

Statue in Reykjavík: Danish King Christian IX holding the new Icelandic Constitution

King Christian IX proclaimed that every church in the land was to have services on that Sunday when he was in Iceland to present the parliament with a new constitution.

The Constitution on the Special Affairs of Iceland / Stjórnarskrá um hin sérstaklegu málefni Íslands, gave Iceland increased autonomy, but executive powers remained with Denmark. While not perfect, it was a significant step toward freedom.

This monumental celebration was not limited to Iceland alone. New Icelandic immigrants in North America also celebrated that Sunday, August 2, 1874. Though it was a time for celebration, the speakers also gave stern reminders and admonitions.

We invite you to an Icelandic Roots public webinar where we will delve deeper into these historical proceedings and their significance that remains today. This session will explore the stories, people, places, music, and more associated with this momentous occasion and highlight their lasting impact on our culture and heritage.

Please join Icelandic Roots Volunteers, Jason Doctor, as the host with Sunna Olafson Furstenau as our presenter. To join the public webinar, the link is sent to newsletter subscribers on 20 Jul 2025, check the Icelandic Roots Facebook Page, or as always, find the public links and more on our Event Calendar for this and other interesting activities.