Early Icelandic exploration Viking ship parade float, Mountain, N.D.

• Format: Still Image
• Language: unknown
• Published: Pembina County Historical Society;
• Subjects: Social Life & Customs; Entertainment; Ships; Parades & processions; Floats (Parades); Shields; Men; Boys; Signs (Notices); Costumes; Hats; Flags; Icelandic Americans; Mountain (N.D.); Pembina County (N.D.); Cavalier; Percy; Iceland
• Online Access: http://cdm16921.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/ndshs-dm/id/822

View of an early Icelandic exploration period viking ship that was made as a parade float for the Deuce of August Icelandic celebration in Mountain, N.D. There are six shields along the side of the float, and a striped sail. Men and a young boy are on the ship dressed in costumes. Color photographic prints; 13 x 18 cm. Title created by staff. Photographer unknown. A "float was constructed by G. B. Olgeirson and son, Robert, in 1928 to help celebrate the 50 year's Jubilee honoring Icelandic settlement in North Dakota. . The Viking ship rebuilt by Alfred and Percy Hanson, 1953, for the 75th celebration of Mountain, Thingvalla Twp." 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 in quotes 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. Other information on the Deuce of August from http://www.august2nd.com/index.html