Harden Elkington
Iceland is a small country with an incredible history. Founded by Norse settlers over 1,000 years ago, Iceland has been shaped by Viking tradition, natural disasters and modernization.
This timeline outlines the major events in Iceland’s history, from its settlement to today.
Whether you’re looking for a better understanding of Icelandic culture or simply curious about the land of fire and ice, this timeline will give you a comprehensive overview of Iceland’s past.
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Age of Exploration and Discovery (800 CE – 1100 CE)
• 800-850: Norsemen settle Iceland.
• 871: Ingolfur Arnarson establishes the first permanent Nordic settlement in Reykjavik.
• 930: The Althing, an assembly of all free men in Iceland, is established.
• 999–1000: Christianity is adopted by Icelanders.
• 1056: The first law code is established in Iceland.
The Reformation Period (1100 – 1600CE)
• 1122: The Old Covenant is established and Icelanders become part of the Norwegian realm.
• 1262–1264: Norway and Iceland are united under the rule of King Magnus VI.
• 1550: After a brief civil war, Lutheranism becomes the official religion of Iceland.
• 1584: Iceland is declared a dependency of Denmark.
• 1602–1604: The first printing press in Iceland is established.
• 1783: The Lakagígar eruptions cause widespread destruction and famine in Iceland.
• 1801: Denmark passes control of Iceland to the Danish crown.
• 1874: Iceland gains its first constitution and limited self-government.
Independence from Denmark (1900 – Present)
• 1910: Iceland and Denmark signed the Act of Union, giving Iceland sovereignty over its domestic affairs.
• 1918–1944: Iceland is occupied by British forces during World War I and II.
• 1944: The Republic of Iceland is declared and the first president is elected.
• 1946: Iceland joins the United Nations.
• 1979: Iceland and Denmark sign a new treaty that strengthens Icelandic sovereignty.
• 1981: Vigdís Finnbogadóttir is elected as the world’s first female president, representing the movement for gender equality in Iceland.
• 2008: Reykjavik becomes the first capital in the world to run on 100% renewable energy.
• 2020: Iceland becomes one of the first countries in the world to declare a climate emergency.
• 2021: Iceland continues its commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040.
The Icelandic Republic
The Icelandic Republic is the modern-day constitutional republic of Iceland, where the head of state is a democratically elected president.
The Icelandic Constitution was adopted in 1944 and outlines the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
In addition to establishing democracy, this document also declared national independence from Denmark and recognized Iceland’s autonomy over its domestic affairs.
Today, Iceland is an active member of the United Nations and the European Economic Area.
Iceland has proactively addressed issues such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, and health care reform in order to ensure a better quality of life for its citizens.
Iceland’s commitment to democracy and progressive policies have made it one of the most prosperous countries in the world.
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The bottom line
From Norse settlements to modern-day sustainability initiatives, this timeline illustrates the remarkable journey of Iceland’s history and its people.
The timeline shows that throughout the centuries, Iceland has continued to thrive despite challenges and hardships, making it a remarkable nation with an extraordinary past.
Through it all, Icelanders have remained resilient, resourceful and proud of their heritage.
This timeline serves as an overview of Iceland’s storied past, and it is sure to be a source of inspiration for generations to come.
