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Traditions: Flag days in Denmark
Flag days this year! Read about the official flag days!
Official Flag Days in Denmark: A Celebration of Traditions and Events
Flag flying is an important part of Danish culture and tradition. On official flag days, the Dannebrog is raised all over the country to mark special events and honour people who have been important to Denmark. In this blog post, we'll explore why we fly the flag today, why there are flags on buses and when the flag should be taken down.
Why are we celebrating today?
Each flag day in Denmark has its own unique meaning. Some of the most notable ones include:
- 1 January - New Year's Day: Celebrating the beginning of a new year.
- 5 February - Queen Mary's birthday: We honour Queen Mary, who was born on this day in 1972.
- 6 February - Princess Marie's birthday: We celebrate the birthday of Princess Marie, who was born in 1976.
- 10 February - The vote in Southern Jutland 1920: We remember the vote where Southern Jutland voted itself home to Denmark after the First World War.
- 9 April - Occupation of Denmark 1940: We fly the flag at half-mast until 12.00 to commemorate the start of the German occupation during World War II.
- 16 April - Queen Margrethe's birthday: We celebrate the birthday of Queen Margrethe, who was born in 1940.
- 29 April - Princess Benedikte's birthday: We celebrate the birthday of Princess Benedikte, who was born in 1944.
- 5 May - the liberation of Denmark in 1945: We mark Denmark's liberation from German occupation during World War II.
- 26 May - King Frederik X's birthday: We celebrate the birthday of King Frederik, who was born in 1968.
- 5 June - Constitution Day: On this day we celebrate the Danish Constitution and commemorate the Battle of Dybbøl in 1848.
- 7 June - Prince Joachim's birthday: We celebrate the birthday of Prince Joachim, who was born in 1969.
- 15 June - Valdemar's Day and Reunification Day 1920: We mark both Valdemar's Day and the reunification of Southern Jutland with Denmark.
- 21 June - Greenland's national day: The Greenlandic flag is flown to celebrate Greenland's national day.
- 29 July - Faroe Islands national holiday: The Faroese flag is flown to celebrate the Faroe Islands' national holiday.
- 5 September - Danmarks udsendte: We honour Denmark's deployed soldiers and civilians.
- 25 December - Christmas Day: We celebrate Christmas and mark Christmas Day.
Flag days can also coincide with religious holidays such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday (when flags are flown at half-mast all day), Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday and 2. Pentecost. These days are of great importance to the Danish national church and mark important events in Christianity.
Why are there flags on the buses?
On official flag days, you'll often see buses in Denmark driving around with small Dannebrog flags. This is a tradition that reflects national pride and cohesion. By flying flags on public transport, we as a society show respect and recognition of the important events and people we celebrate on these days. It is a reminder that we share a common history and cultural heritage that binds us together.
When should the flag be taken down?
Flagging in Denmark follows strict guidelines for when the flag should be raised and taken down. On regular flag days, the flag should be raised at sunrise and taken down at sunset. In winter, if the sun rises after 8:00 am, the flag should be raised at 8:00 am. In summer, when the sun sets late, the flag must be taken down by 20:00 at the latest.
On special days such as Good Friday and 9 April, when the flag is flown at half-mast, the flag should be raised to the top first and then lowered to half-mast. At noon on 9 April, the flag is raised to the top again for the rest of the day.
Military flag days and other special events
There are also specific military flag days that honour important historical battles and military achievements. For example:
- 29 January - Establishment of the Holmen Badge of Honour 1801
- 2 February - Battle of Misunde 1864
- 11 February - The Storm of Copenhagen 1659
- 2 April - Battle of the Nest 1801
- 18 April - Battle of Dybbøl 1864
- 9 May - Battle of Heligoland 1864
- 1 July - Battle of Køge Bay 1677
- 6 July - Battle of Fredericia 1849
- 25 July - Battle of Isted 1850
- 4 October - The Storm of Frederiksstad 1850
These days are mainly marked in military circles and are often not well known among the general public.
Private parties and flagging
When you have a private party, you are allowed to fly the flag even if the rest of the country flies at half-mast. However, it is traditional not to party in a house if the flag is flown at half-mast. This is especially relevant for big birthdays or wedding anniversaries.
Church flag days
Church flag days take precedence over national flag days, but personal flag days, such as royal birthdays, have higher priority - except when they fall on Good Friday. On this day, flags are always flown at half-mast no matter what, to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus. Here, the rules apply to all state flagpoles across the country.
Flying the flag in Denmark is more than just a tradition; it's a way to honour our history, culture and the people who have shaped our nation. By flying the flag, we show respect and community, and we commemorate the important events and people who have had an impact on Denmark.
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