930 Mittelalter
Foundation of the Althing
At Þingvellir the world’s oldest still-functioning parliament is born.
Island
Republic of Iceland
Founded by Norwegian settlers around 874, Iceland has the world's oldest still-functioning parliament.
Erbe
The Althing, first convened in 930 at Þingvellir, predates Magna Carta by three centuries. Conversion to Christianity was decided there in the year 1000 by a vote of that assembly — probably a unique case in Europe. The Icelandic sagas form the largest body of vernacular prose of the Western Middle Ages.
Geschichte
Settled from 874 by Norwegians fleeing the kingdom's unification, Iceland organised in 930 a state without king or executive: the Althing legislated and judged, disputes were settled by law and feud. Christianity was adopted there in the year 1000 by decision of the assembly, to avoid civil war.
The loss of independence to Norway in 1262 and then to Denmark opened difficult centuries, worsened by volcanic eruptions and the Danish trade monopoly.
Autonomy came in 1918 and the republic was proclaimed in 1944, while Denmark was occupied. The “cod wars” with the United Kingdom extended the exclusive economic zone. The banking crisis of 2008 led to an application to the Union, withdrawn in 2015; Iceland remains a member of the EEA and of Schengen.
Meilensteine
1000 Christianisierung
Christianisation by vote
The assembly collectively decides to adopt Christianity to preserve civil peace.
1220 Mittelalter
The age of the sagas
Snorri Sturluson and his contemporaries commit Norse mythology and settler history to writing.
1262 Mittelalter
Old Covenant
Iceland recognises the sovereignty of the king of Norway; the free state ends.
1944 Zeitgeschichte
Proclamation of the Republic in Iceland
On 17 June, at Þingvellir, Iceland breaks the link with the Danish crown.
1980 Zeitgeschichte
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
Iceland elects the world’s first woman head of state by direct universal suffrage.
2008 Zeitgeschichte
Banking collapse
The three big banks fail; the crisis leads to an EU application, withdrawn in 2015.
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