5.3.1 Iceland History: A Chronology Of Important Dates
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This article is from the Nordic countries FAQ, by Antti Lahelma and Johan Olofsson, with numerous contributions by others.
5.3.1 Iceland History: A Chronology Of Important Dates
ca. 800
Irish explorers discover Iceland.
874 Iceland receives its first inhabitants from Norway (prior to that, some
Celtic colonies had existed in Iceland) as Ingólfr Arnarson arrives in
Reykjavík.
930 The Icelandic parliament, "Althing", had its first meeting. The Alþing
is the oldest parliamentary system still operating in Europe.
985 Eiríkr (Eric) the Red discovers and settles in Greenland.
1000
Christianity adopted as the new religion. Leifr Eríksson ('Leif The
lucky') discovers North America and names it Vínland.
1120-1230
The old Scandinavian sagas were written down in Iceland. Snorri
Sturluson, a nobleman, historian and poet, writes (or is believed to
have written) the Prose Edda and the Heimskringla
1262
Weakened by internal struggles, Iceland becomes under Norwegian rule,
maintaining, however, a large autonomy. The end of the age of
Sturlungs.
1387
Norway, and with it Iceland, becomes united to Denmark.
1400's-1700's
Pestilence, commercial exploitation, and natural catastrophes nearly
wiped out the Icelandic nation; by the late 18th century its number had
dropped to less than 40,000. A revival began in the 19th century.
1536
Iceland becomes Lutheran. The Bible is translated into Icelandic in
1584.
1783-86
The worst volcanic eruptions in the history of Iceland. Grass was
burned from large areas, 3/4 of cattle starved to death and likewise,
1/4 of Iceland's inhabitants died of starvation.
1786
Reykjavík received trade rights.
1800
The Althing meetings discontinued by the Danish king.
1843
With the awakening of Icelandic nationalism, the Alþing is
re-established as a consultative body.
1874
Iceland gets a constitution of its own.
1904
Home rule under Denmark.
1918
Denmark recognizes Iceland as a sovereign state, but Iceland remains
united with Denmark.
1940
When Denmark falls to the Nazis, Iceland is occupied by British troops
to prevent a German attack.
1941
U.S forces take over defence of Iceland.
1944
Iceland declares full independence at Þingvellir.
1946
Iceland joins the United Nations.
1949
Iceland joins the NATO after a long dispute, and in 1951 reluctantly
allows the U.S to maintain a naval base at Keflavík in return for U.S
defense of Iceland.
1963
An underwater volcanic eruption creates a new island, named Surtsey, on
the Icelandic coast.
1973
The volcano Helgafell erupted on the island of Heimaey, destroying 1/4
of the houses of Vestmanneyjar, one of Iceland's busiest fishing
harbours. The rest was dug out of the ashes and most people moved back.
1975
Fishery limits extended to 200 miles. "Cod war" with Britain.
1980
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir becomes the first woman ever to be democratically
elected President of a Republic. She has been re-elected in 1984, 1988,
and 1992.
1986
Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meeting held in Höfði house, Reykjavík
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