Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/05. Europe • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of Norway (AI-generated, sourced to Wikipedia).
Chronological Storyline (31 Milestones)
Jun 8, 793 CE
Viking Age begins
Norse raiders attack Lindisfarne monastery, marking the start of the Viking Age and Norway's era of expansion across Europe. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Viking age Stone By historical museum - http://historiska.se/sokresultat/?i=ksamsok&q=Bildsten&type%5B%5D=object, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72892711
872 CE
Battle of Hafrsfjord
King Harald Fairhair victorious at Hafrsfjord, traditionally regarded as the battle that unified Norway into a single kingdom. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Battle of Hafrsfjord By Hansen 'Ole Peter' Balling - Digitalt Museum, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19312502
995 CE
Olaf I becomes king
Olaf Tryggvason returns to Norway and claims the throne, aggressively promoting Christianization of the Norse population. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Coin of Olaf Tryggvasson (Olaf I of Norway). By Ole Andreas Øverland (1855-1911) - Øverland, O.A. (1885). Illustreret Norges Historie. B. 1: Fra de ældste Tider til Slaget på Stiklestad (1030). Folkebladet., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22363274
Jul 29, 1030 CE
Battle of Stiklestad
King Olaf II Haraldsson killed in battle, later canonized as Saint Olaf, cementing Christianity in Norway. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Battle of Stiklestad By Peter Nicolai Arbo - Painted as a sketch for a print for the book Billeder af Norges Historie tegnede af P.N. Arbo og ledsaget af en kort opplysende Text efter P.A. Munch, published by Christian Tønsberg 1860., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125540884
1107 CE
Norwegian Crusade begins
King Sigurd the Crusader departs Norway for Jerusalem, becoming the first European king to personally join a crusade. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Portrait of Sigurd the Crusader By Unknown author - Sigurd Jorsalsfare, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=151878769
1130 CE
Civil war era starts
Following the death of King Sigurd, Norway enters a prolonged period of civil wars over succession lasting over a century. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Civil war era starts By Peter Nicolai Arbo - http://www.arild-hauge.com/paintings.htm, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12534289
1217 CE
Håkon IV crowned king
Håkon IV Håkonsson begins his reign, ending the civil wars and ushering in Norway's medieval golden age. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Seal (front) of King Haakon IV Haakonsson of Norway, dated 1247/48, Oslo.Text: "[✠] SIGI[llvm Haconis magni (?) dei grac]IA : REGIS : NORWE/G[ie]".Size: 93 mm. By Drawing by Hakon Thorsen (d. before 1924) - Brinchmann, Chr. "Norske Konge-sigiller og andre Fyrste-sigiller fra Middelalderen" (1924), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20519469
Oct 2, 1263 CE
Battle of Largs
Scottish forces clash with King Håkon IV's fleet, leading to Norwegian cession of the Hebrides and Isle of Man to Scotland. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Detail from William Hole's painting The Battle of Largs By William Hole - mural in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, photographed by uploader, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32596989
1349 CE
Black Death strikes Norway
The plague arrives via ships, killing an estimated one-third to one-half of Norway's population and devastating society. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Map showing the spread of the Black Death in Europe between 1346 and 1353. By Flappiefh - Own work from: Natural Earth ; Cesana, D.; Benedictow O.J., Bianucci R. (2017). "The origin and early spread of the Black Death in Italy: first evidence of plague victims from 14th-century Liguria (northern Italy)". Anthropological Science 125 (1): 15–24. DOI:10.1537/ase.161011. ISSN 0918-7960. (page 17), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66468361
Jun 17, 1397 CE
Kalmar Union formed
Norway, Sweden, and Denmark unite under a single monarch at Kalmar, with Norway increasingly subordinate to Denmark. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
This is merely a recreation of what the flag is thought to have looked like. There are no surviving flags or pictorial evidence as to its appearance. See article at Flags of the World. By ThrashedParanoid - Own work Original PNG made by E70., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=556733
1536 CE
Reformation imposed
Denmark-Norway adopts Lutheranism, dissolving Norwegian Catholic Church institutions and transferring wealth to the crown. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Flag of Norway. The colors approximately correspond to Pantone 200 C (deep red) and 281 C (dark blue). By Original: Fredrik Meltzer Vector: Gutten på Hemsen - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=388300
1645 CE
Torstenson War losses
Denmark-Norway cedes Jämtland, Härjedalen, and Gotland to Sweden after defeat in the Torstenson War. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Torstenson War By LocalF15 - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=190509898
Nov 30, 1718 CE
Charles XII killed
Swedish King Charles XII dies during his invasion of Norway at the siege of Fredriksten Fortress, ending Swedish ambitions. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Karl XII var berömd i hela Europa. Alla ville ha hans porträtt. Det här har tillkommit i den franske hovmålaren Rigauds ateljé. I skinande rustning och med fladdrande mantel står kungen uppställd som på en teaterscen – kriget i bakgrunden liknar mest en kuliss. Det korta håret hade blivit hans signum, en symbol för soldatkungen. 1715, när porträttet målades, var den svenska stormakten på väg att falla samman. Verkliga krig, mycket blodigare än målningens teaterkrig, rasade på alla håll. Tre år senare var kungen död. By Workshop of Hyacinthe Rigaud - NM 883, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77134106
May 17, 1814 CE
Constitution signed at Eidsvoll
Norwegian Constituent Assembly signs the constitution declaring Norway an independent kingdom, still celebrated as National Day. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Forsiden til den håndskrevne originalutgaven av Norges grunnlov av 4. november 1814, som befinner seg i Stortingsarkivet, nr. 3 i Stortingets Indre arkiv. By Grunnlovsgivende forsamling - Stortingsarkivet, nr. 3 i Stortingets Indre arkiv, http://www.wergelandogstortinget.no/grunnloven.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18607655
Nov 4, 1814 CE
Union with Sweden
After the Moss Convention, Norway enters a personal union with Sweden under King Charles XIII, retaining its constitution. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Swedish merchant flag 1844-1905 By Jeltz - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=486863
Jul 4, 1825 CE
Norwegian emigration begins
The sloop Restauration departs Stavanger for New York, launching mass Norwegian emigration to America over the next century. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Flag of Norway. The colors approximately correspond to Pantone 200 C (deep red) and 281 C (dark blue). By Original: Fredrik Meltzer Vector: Gutten på Hemsen - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=388300
1882 CE
Ibsen's 'Enemy of the People'
Henrik Ibsen publishes 'An Enemy of the People,' part of his influential realist drama cycle that reshaped world theater. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Ibsen's 'Enemy of the People' By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=530652
Jun 7, 1905 CE
Union dissolved
The Storting declares the union with Sweden dissolved, and Norwegians vote overwhelmingly for independence in a referendum. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Union dissolved By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=194070
Dec 14, 1911 CE
Amundsen reaches South Pole
Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen becomes the first person to reach the South Pole, beating Britain's Robert Falcon Scott. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Roald Amundsen (1872-1928) in fur By AnonymousUnknown author - http://sunde.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/roald_amundsen_wearing_furskins.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8888909
Apr 9, 1940 CE
Germany invades Norway
Nazi Germany launches Operation Weserübung, invading Norway by sea and air, beginning five years of occupation. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
German forces under march, most likely towards Pålsbrøtin, south-west of no:Bagn in no:Sør-Aurdal, no:Norway. This is just south of pass in the valley at Bagn. See also no:Kampene langs Randsfjorden, i Ådalen og Valdres. This group is part of Stemmers company. See also later images Image:German forces under march towards Pålsbrøtin.jpg and Image:German forces under march towards Pålsbrøtin, single soldier.jpg. By Repro John Erling Blad - no:Bagn Bygdesamling, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3339932
Jun 8, 1940 CE
Allied evacuation from Norway
Allied forces withdraw from Norway, and King Haakon VII and the government go into exile in London. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Battle of Norway. By User:Dybdal / Bagn Bygdesamling - Valdres Folkemuseum, Norway / British Armed Forces. - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:German_forces_climbing_a_very_step_road_just_south_of_Bagn.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Norwegian_Army_7.5_cm_field_gun.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Ammunition_dump_burns_norway.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Wounded_being_helped_onto_a_landing_craft.jpg http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Oscarsborg_Fortress_under_air_attack%2C_9_April%2C_1940.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4447939
May 8, 1945 CE
Liberation of Norway
German forces in Norway surrender, ending the occupation; King Haakon VII returns from exile on June 7. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Liberation of Norway By Ruge, Willi - This image was provided to Wikimedia Commons by the German Federal Archive (Deutsches Bundesarchiv) as part of a cooperation project. The German Federal Archive guarantees an authentic representation only using the originals (negative and/or positive), resp. the digitalization of the originals as provided by the Digital Image Archive., CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5477755
Oct 24, 1945 CE
Quisling executed
Vidkun Quisling, Norway's collaborationist leader, is executed by firing squad for treason after conviction. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Norwegian Minister President Vidkun Quisling in civilian clothes By Riksarkivet (National Archives of Norway) from Oslo, Norway - Portrett av Vidkun Quisling i sivile klær, ukjent datering., No restrictions, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25531505
Apr 4, 1949 CE
Norway joins NATO
Norway becomes a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, anchoring its post-war security policy. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
A map of Europe and North America with NATO countries and Norway colored in. Norway NATO Lambert conformal conic projection with standard parallels 40°N and 60°N. De-factor borders from Natural Earth 110 km dataset. By Justin Kunimune - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=137284206
Feb 14, 1952 CE
Oslo Winter Olympics open
Oslo hosts the sixth Winter Olympic Games, the first Winter Olympics held in Scandinavia, showcasing Norway's winter sports culture. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Flag of Norway. The colors approximately correspond to Pantone 200 C (deep red) and 281 C (dark blue). By Original: Fredrik Meltzer Vector: Gutten på Hemsen - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=388300
1969 CE
North Sea oil discovered
The Ekofisk oil field is discovered in the Norwegian North Sea, launching Norway's petroleum era and future wealth. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Carte des champs pétroliers et gaziers de la mer du Nord By Gautier, D.L. - US Dept. of the Interior USGS Bulletin 2204-C, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28436166
Sep 25, 1972 CE
EEC referendum rejected
Norwegian voters narrowly reject membership in the European Economic Community, setting a pattern of EU skepticism. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Flag of Norway. The colors approximately correspond to Pantone 200 C (deep red) and 281 C (dark blue). By Original: Fredrik Meltzer Vector: Gutten på Hemsen - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=388300
1990 CE
Sovereign Wealth Fund created
Norway establishes the Government Pension Fund Global to invest petroleum revenues for future generations, becoming the world's largest sovereign wealth fund. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Flag of Norway. The colors approximately correspond to Pantone 200 C (deep red) and 281 C (dark blue). By Original: Fredrik Meltzer Vector: Gutten på Hemsen - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=388300
Feb 12, 1994 CE
Lillehammer Olympics open
Lillehammer hosts the Winter Olympics, widely praised for organization and the first Games held after the fall of the Soviet Union. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Flag of Norway. The colors approximately correspond to Pantone 200 C (deep red) and 281 C (dark blue). By Original: Fredrik Meltzer Vector: Gutten på Hemsen - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=388300
Nov 28, 1994 CE
EU membership rejected again
Norwegian voters reject EU membership in a second referendum, maintaining Norway's outside status within the EEA framework. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
Flag of Norway. The colors approximately correspond to Pantone 200 C (deep red) and 281 C (dark blue). By Original: Fredrik Meltzer Vector: Gutten på Hemsen - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=388300
Jul 22, 2011 CE
July 22 attacks
Anders Behring Breivik carries out a bomb attack in Oslo and a mass shooting at Utøya island, killing 77 people in Norway's worst peacetime attack. Source — Wikipedia, "Norway":
View of Oslo city after July 2011 bombing. By User:N.Andersen - Private collectioninstitution QS:P195,somevalue,P3831,Q768717, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15957988
![Seal (front) of King Haakon IV Haakonsson of Norway, dated 1247/48, Oslo.Text: "[✠] SIGI[llvm Haconis magni (?) dei grac]IA : REGIS : NORWE/G[ie]".Size: 93 mm.](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Kong_Haakon_Haakonsson_PI_III_1.jpg)
