December 6th

On this day – 6^th December 1917 – The adoption of Finish independence

The parliament of Finland adopted the declaration of independence from Russia in 1917. They had declared their independence on the 15^th of November, and the declaration was adopted in Finland on the 6^th of December. The background for the declaration was the February and October revolution in Russia and it was recognised by Russia a short time after Finland’s declaration. The independence did, however, contribute to a three-month long civil war in Finland starting in January 1918. It also led to an unstable relationship between the two countries, and in 1939 tried the Soviet Union to occupy Finland. The war ended with the Moscow Peace treaty in 1940 where Finland had to give away parts of their land to the Soviet Union.

Finland was only one of many countries to sought independence at the time. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania also sought independence from Russia at the time, but they were re-occupied by soviet Union just a few years after. The 6^th of December is celebrated as the finish national day today.

Russia accepts Finlands independence

“The people of Finland have by this step taken their fate in their own hands; a step both justified and demanded by present conditions. The people of Finland feel deeply that they cannot fulfil their national and international duty without complete sovereignty. The century-old desire for freedom awaits fulfilment now; Finland's people step forward as a free nation among the other nations in the world”.

 

– The declaration on November 15^th.