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ICELAND
HISTORY
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HISTORIC TIMELINE
600 - 700
Irish monks settle on the uninhabited island
850 - 930
Norwegian and Swedish name the island “Snæland” (snowland), then Garðarshóalmi and finally Iceland. Farms develop all across the island
871
Norwegian viking Ingólfur Arnarson, Iceland’s first permanent inhabitant, sails to the Southwest coast of Iceland and settles in a bay, which he later names Reykjavik
930
Alþing, the world’s oldest parliament is founded in Þingvellir
1000
Iceland converts to Christianity being put under pressure by the Norwegian government. Leifur reaches North America and becomes the first European to set food on America
1000 - 1200
golden age of Icelandic literature and writing of the Old Nordic Sagas
1104
first recorded eruption of the Hekla volcano. The eruption buries the valley of Pjorsardalur with ash, mud and rock
1200
the parliament loses its executive powers after the introduction of new laws and influential families gain power. After several bloody disputes, Iceland slides into anarchy, the parliament is suspended and Ieland is annexed by Norway in 1281
1387
Norway, Sweden and Denmark unite under one crown, bringing Iceland under Danish rule
1402 - 1404
The black death rages in Iceland, killing around 50% of the population
1550
King Christian III institutes Protestantism in Iceland, the Catholic bishop Jón Arason and his two sons are beheaded after battle
1590
a first detailed map of Iceland is published by bishop Guðbrandur Porláksson
1602
Denmark establishes an exclusive trade monopol for Danish and Swedish companies to trade with Iceland, leading to impoverishment in Iceland
1625 - 1685
Period of witch hunts in the Westfjords, resulting in the execution of 21 Icelanders who were said to cultivate a okkult connection
1627
Algerian pirates raid the Eastern coast of Iceland, kidnapping hundreds of inhabitants and killing anybody resisting
1703
Icelands first census counts just over 50.000 inhabitants
1783/84
the eruption of the Laki craters kills a quarter of the Icelandinc population and 50% of all cattle. Effects of the massive eruption are felt across Europe with a massive ash cloud bringing storms and flooding
1786
official founding of Reykjavik with around 200 inhabitants
1855 - 1890
first steps towards independence and re-establishment of free trade and an independent constitution. Many Icelanders immigrate to North America
1904
A minister for Icelandic affairs is appointed to the Danish cabinet
1917/18
Iceland suffers under the “big freeze” with temperatures falling to -38 degrees. All ports are blocked by ice
1918
The Danish-Icelandic Act of Union grants full independence for Iceland within the Danish kingdom
1940/41
British troops occupy neutral Iceland to prevent it falling to the Nazis after they occupied Denmark
1944
The majority of Icelanders votes for full independence from Denmark and the Icelandic Republic is formally announced on June 17
1974
The ring road leading all around Iceland is completed with the opening of the Skeiðarárbrú bridge
1986
Reagan and Gorbatschow meet in Reykjavik
2006
the US military base at Kevlavik is closed after 45 years. Commercial whaling is reintroduced to Iceland
2008
The global recession hits Iceland hard and leads to the collapse of the three biggest Icelandic banks. Iceland sees its biggest migration since the late 19. century
2010
the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano causes major disruption to European air traffic
History Iceland