Since tomorrow is the day Finland celebrates its independence, I thought I'd devote a blog entry to the remembrance of this precious right that the Finns of today enjoy.

First, some history:

December 6, 1917 - Finland declares its independence from Russia
December 31, 1917 - Russia's new Bolshevik government recognizes Finland
January 27 through May 14, 1918 - Finnish Civil War between the "white" bourgeoisie and the Red Guard
July 17, 1919 - Finland becomes a republic
1920 - Finland becomes a member of the League of Nations
1929 through 1934 - Great Depression in Finland
1932 - Finland signs a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union
November 30, 1939 - Soviet Union invades Finland with intent to annex
November 30, 1939 through March 13, 1940 - Winter War, resulting in the loss of Finnish Karelia
March 13, 1940 through June 25, 1941 - Interim Peace under harsh terms
June 25, 1941 through September 4, 1944 - Continuation War, with German support
September 15, 1944 through April 27, 1945 - Lapland War, German forces ousted from Finnish soil
1947 - Paris Peace settlement, Finland remains a sovereign nation
1947 through 1952 - Finland pays heavy war reparations
December 14, 1955 - Finland becomes a member of the United Nations
Post-war era - rebuilding and industrialization
1991 - Soviet Union collapses, Finland's economy falls into depression
1990s to the present - post-industrialization
1995 - Finland joins the European Union

Independence Day in Finland is a solemn occasion. Traditions include flag raisings, speeches, patriotic songs and hymns, burning of candles, laying of wreaths, visiting the graves of those who died to defend our freedom, and a moment of silence. It is a day to remember the trials of the past and to pray for the future. We are reminded of the debt we owe, and we desire to give whatever may be required of us, even our very lives, for the preservation of this great gift for generations to come.

-BC