Helgi Bjornsen woodsman, parade in Mountain, N.D.

• Main Authors: Davidson, Erling D., Cavalier Studio (Cavalier, N.D.); Cavalier (N.D.);
• Format: Still Image
• Language: unknown
• Published: Pembina County Historical Society; 1953
• Subjects: Ethnic; Social Life & Customs; City & Town Life; Parades & processions; Carts & wagons; Woodcutters; Covered wagons; People; Spectators; Trees; Men; Women; Streets; Cattle; Ox teams; Icelandic Americans; Bjornsen; Helgi; Mountain (N.D.); Pembina County (N.D.); Cavalier; Davidson; Iceland
• Online Access: http://cdm16921.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/ndshs-dm/id/1055

View of an ox pulling a covered wagon carrying a driver and Helgi Bjornsen a woodsman in The Deuce of August, Icelandic parade in Mountain, N.D. There are people lined up along the street in the background watching the parade, and a house and trees behind the spectators. Photographic prints; 13 x 18 cm. "1" and "Helgi Bjornsen, woodsmen"--Handwritten on back of photograph. "Photo by, Erling D. Davidson" and "Cavalier Studio, Cavalier, N. DAK."--Stamped on back of photograph. Title created by staff. Photographer unknown. "Covered wagon used in the Mountain Parade in 1953" By 1874, Iceland had been under harsh Danish rule for hundreds of years and the people wanted their freedom. A man named Jon Sigurdsson was determined to get it for them. In the summer of 1874 the Danish King, King Kristjan the Ninth, visited Iceland and the Icelandic Parliament was called into session from August the first to the seventh. On August the Second, he handed over the New Constitution to the Parliament and every Icelandic church held a service. In the early 1870's a small group of Icelandic people immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and celebrated on August 2, 1874. The Icelandic community in Winnipeg had their first celebration on the August 2, 1890, calling it "The Day of the Icelanders." Icelandic communities continue to celebrate The Deuce of August to celebrate their heritage and share cultural roots. Information from page 70 in Heritage 76, Then and Now, Pembina County, North Dakota, 1776-1976. Published by Pembina County Commissioners and the Pembina County Historical Society, Cavalier, ND in 1975. Information on the Deuce of August background from http://www.august2nd.com/index.html