On June 10, 1944: Iceland’s Independence — How the Oldest Continuous Democracy in the World was Born from War

On June 10, 1944—eighty years ago—Iceland declared the end of its union with the Danish Crown to become an independent republic. This independence was not a fleeting event; Iceland had already acquired a unique distinction among nations: it is home to the world’s oldest continuously operating parliament, the Alþingi, founded in 930 AD—before the establishment of councils in Britain or France. This means the parliament has functioned for over a thousand years, evolving from a gathering of chieftains into a legislative body.

Two Centuries of Silent Occupation

Iceland joined the Danish Crown in 1380, after passing from Viking Norway through various hands. One of the most notable periods began in 1918, when the “Constitutional Act” was signed, granting Iceland significant internal autonomy while Denmark’s grip weakened due to the Great War.

World War II — The Catalyst for Independence

World War II played a crucial role in facilitating Iceland’s independence. In May 1940, Britain occupied Iceland to prevent Nazi control, after which Icelandis felt the Danish influence diminish significantly. The subsequent American presence further transformed the island’s strategic importance. With Denmark itself under Nazi occupation, King Christian X lost effective control over Iceland, a territory Denmark could not defend militarily and had no actual presence in.

A Historic Referendum with 99% Support

On May 20, 1944—before June 10—an independence referendum was held. About 98% of eligible voters participated, with 99.5% voting in favor, making it one of the most decisive referendums in human history. The republic was then declared at a historic conference in Reykjavik, an event that resonated not only in Iceland but across the world as a move toward self-governance.

Could the Icelandic Model Be Applied to the Arab World?

No Arab country has a parliament that is a thousand years old, but the lesson from Iceland lies in two key points: first, freedom is not granted all at once but is the result of centuries of civic demands and democratic culture; second, small nations—as the Icelandic experience shows—can build exemplary states through peaceful means and without violent revolutions. Iceland has had no standing army since independence and has not fought a war of liberation, yet it has maintained lasting independence for over eighty years. Today, Iceland ranks among the world’s top democracies, proving that wisdom and nonviolence are more effective than armed struggle.