Norway 's Constitution Day is a day of joy, celebration, but also a day of remembrance of fallen members of their country. Every country has their own constitution day, and Norway celebrates their national holiday on May 17. The majority of the country is out celebrating the country's independence on May 17. A country's right to rule themselves is a right that every country should feel. Freedom to rule yourself is the reason why there have been so many wars. Countries have been revolting and succeeding from more dominant country's rule for ages. Freedom should be available to everyone.

  I have been ranting about freedom and have not given my definition for freedom. The freedom I am referring to is Norway 's political freedom. Freedom is the reason why the world is so great. Countries can form their own governments and make their own foreign and domestic policies. The United States had to fight the British off to become completely independent of colonial rule. Norway achieved independence without any fighting from Denmark and Sweden (Professor Knut Mykland). Norway became its own country in the year 1905. This brought about feelings of nationalism toward their country. Nationalism comes about when the members of a society care about their national identity.

  Communitas plays an important role on the seventeenth of May. The whole country has an intense feeling of social togetherness and belonging (Leah Lourie). The society becomes strengthened as a result of the communitas. The citizens of Norway might not know every single person, yet they still view themselves as being a part of the same specific community. This idea is a part of Benedictine Anderson's view of a nation called imagined communities (Leah Lourie). For instance, all the citizens are wearing red, white, and blue on Children's Day. The Norwegians might not know each other, but they share the common feeling of nationalism for their country. The country is bonded by nationalism on Constitution Day. The families toast Norway at lunch every year (Rotary).

  Norway 's Constitution Day brings forth increased feelings of patriotism towards Norway . Patriotism was always thought to be love for one's country, but the definition is more complex than the general public's definition. Patriotism is a love for familiar lands, love for familiar families, and love for familiar ideas (Stephen Brown 1939). In other words, patriotism is having love for your country, friends, and sharing the same political ideas with your fellow country men. Patriotism is a direct effect of communitas and imagined communities. When the Norwegians have stronger feelings of togetherness, they also share the same ideas of patriotism.

  An important part of the holiday is the involvement of the children. The parents will set up a mini-parade for their kids even if they are still too young to participate in the parades. Children's Day is a unique holiday specifically designed for the children. Children from all 110 schools march in the parade, instead of army men marching (Margit Karkela 2003). Students in Norway get to skip school and enjoy the parade and other festivities. The Norwegian children truly do enjoy themselves on May 17. Children are giving the opportunity to eat sweets all day and play games with each other. The children have a slight altered state on Children's Day. The children are more active than usual from the increased consumption of candy, ice cream, and orange flavored soda. The parents get into the holiday by drinking either beer or champagne. Both of these drinks contain alcohol, which harms the brain.