World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Helsinki  - History
History

1155 The first crusade to Finland by the Swedes, who incorporate it into the Swedish realm
1130-1250
The Stenkils family rule Finland
1249
Swede Birger Jarl establishes settlements in Tavastia and along the northern coast of Finland
1527
King Gustav Vasa of Sweden becomes a Lutheran. Catholic property is confiscated.
1550
Helsinki is established as a trading town by King Gustav Vasa
1714-21
Peter the Great of Russia invades Finland, a time known as The Great Wrath
1721
The Treaty of Uusikaupunki brings peace; Sweden loses South Karelia, but retains a strong footing
1740s
The Swedes build fortifications along the coast, at Suomenlinna and Lovissa
1788-89
Sweden and Russia clash in a sea battle
1796
The Swedish king Gustav IV Adolf enters the Napoleonic wars
1808
Russia attacks Finland
1809
Gustav IV Adolf loses his crown and Finland is handed over to Russia by Sweden, becoming a partly autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian emperor
1812
St Petersburg nominates Helsinki as its Finnish capital and building work starts on Senate Square
1835
The first edition of the Kalevala is published
1906
Finnish women become the second in the world to gain the vote
6 Dec 1917
Finland declares independence
1919
The present constitution is adopted and Finland becomes a republic
1952
The 15th Olympic Games are held in Helsinki
1955 Finland joins the United Nations
1995
Finland becomes a member of the European Union
2000
Helsinki is elected European City of Culture



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