This year, Norway is celebrating its 100th anniversary of independence from its older cousins, the Swedes, who had dominated it since 1815.
I believe even the U.S. Post Office is issuing a special commemorative stamp to mark the event.
I am still ploughing through biographies--real books, not internet sites--of kings of Norway (kindly suggested by Eurotwit, and his advice enthusiastically heeded), but it appears that from circa 1340 until 1815, Norway had been owned by their elder brothers, the Danes.
Why all this happened, well, I am not back that far yet.
Do you know that President Bush is the first American President to acknowledge Leif Erikkson day, to commemorate American-Scandinavian relations.
GWB is a friend of the Vikings :-)
How am doing posting all aqauited up?