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City Guide - Helsinki - History | ||
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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 |