Constitution of Norway

The 1814 Eidsvoll constitution, the second oldest written national constitution in force.

Overview

Signed at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814, during the upheaval of the Napoleonic Wars, the Norwegian Constitution declared independence from Denmark and, though Sweden soon forced a union, kept Norways own institutions alive. Inspired by the American and French examples, it is the second oldest written national constitution still in continuous force after the United States. May 17 is the national day. Heavily amended, especially in 1884 when parliamentarism became convention and in 2012 when the Lutheran clause was softened to reference values, it combines a monarchy with a strong unicameral Storting and remains a national symbol.