Constitution Day of Denmark

Constitution Day of Denmark History

Constitutional Day in Denmark commemorates the signing of the Danish constitution in 1849. This document is the main part of the Denmark’s constitution and it established the country as a constitutional monarchy with a representative parliamentary system.

Today, Constitution Day is a celebration of democracy and tradition in Denmark, with many businesses closing early so that people can gather at political rallies or spend the day with their families. The current Constitution of Denmark was signed on June 5 1953. Constitution Day is celebrated every June 5, which coincides with Father's Day in Denmark.

Top facts and quotes about Constitution Day of Denmark

• Denmark has 406 islands, 7314km of coast line and only one land border with Germany.
• The current monarch of Denmark is Queen Margrethe II who presides over Denmark and the autonomous regions of Greenland and the Faroe Island. She has been on the throne since 1972. Her son, Crown Prince Frederik is next in line to the throne.
• According to Lund University, in 2023, the population of Denmark was 5.9 million. The most populated city is Copenhagen with over 1.4 million people. The least populated city in Denmark is Logten, with about 8,500 people.
  According to Nordic Co-operation, in 2022, the population of Denmark was 5.8 million inhabitants. Roughly 1.3 million people live in and around the capital city, Copenhagen.
• I find Maersk fascinating. It is the Coca-Cola of freight with none of the fame. Its parent company, A. P. Moller-Maersk, is Denmark's largest company, its sales equal to 20 percent of Denmark's GDP; its ships use more oil than the entire nation. – Rose George
• There is a peculiar harmony between the colours of Dannebrog and the Star Spangled Banner as they wave side by side today. We want to protect whatever good we brought with us from our native country, and we wish to preserve it unmolested for the benefit of our children. Therefore, I wish to extend my welcome to you all. Welcome to all our guests who are here on their way to visit Denmark. When you come home perchance somebody will wonder why you and your children still speak the Danish language. Tell them that we gather by the thousands to celebrate Denmark’s Constitution Day. – John Schmidt, President of the Danish National Committee (1925)

In the News and Trending in the EU for Constitution Day of Denmark

Constitution Day of Denmark Top Things to Do

• Take the day off! If you’re in Denmark most shops and workplaces close at noon so that political rallies and meetings can be held. The day is also Father’s Day in Denmark, so it is an opportune time to spend with family on this long summer day.
• Meet your local politics representative. Constitution Day marks Denmark’s commitment to parliamentary democracy and is a great time to interact with a range of politicians from local representatives to high profile party leaders.
• Eat some Danish food! Have you tried smorrebrod (open rye-bread sandwiches), frikadeller (meat balls), or Rødgrød med fløde (stewed, thickened red berry compote served with ice cream).
• Watch a Danish TV show! Denmark has produced many popular TV shows and films of the last five years. Our favourites include
  1) Borgen
  2) The Killing
  3) The Bridge
  4) Drive (2011)
  5) Melancholia (2011)
• Read a Danish book! Denmark has many well-known authors to choose from. Our favourites include:
  1) The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen
  2) Either/Or by Søren Kierkegaard
  3) Out of Africa by Karen Blixen