History of Norway in Timeline

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Norway

Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula, encompassing Jan Mayen and Svalbard. With a population of 5.6 million, its capital is Oslo. Covering 385,207 square kilometers, it borders Sweden to the east, and Finland and Russia to the northeast. It has an extensive coastline along the Skagerrak strait, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Barents Sea. Bouvet Island is a dependency and Norway claims Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land in Antarctica.

1900: Norway participated at the Olympic Games

In 1900, Norway first participated at the Olympic Games.

1902: Death Penalty Abolished

In 1902, Norway abolished the death penalty for regular criminal acts.

1904: Norway did not participate at the Olympic Games

In 1904, Norway did not participate at the Olympic Games.

June 1905: Separation of Norway from Sweden

In June 1905, Christian Michelsen, the Prime Minister of Norway, played a key role in the peaceful separation of Norway from Sweden.

1905: Personal union with Sweden

In 1905, Norway ended its personal union with Sweden, which had been in place since 1814.

1907: Christian Michelsen's term as Prime Minister ends

In 1907, Christian Michelsen's term as Prime Minister of Norway ended. He had been Prime Minister since 1905.

1913: Universal suffrage for women

In 1913, women in Norway were granted universal suffrage, following the granting of suffrage to men in 1898.

1938: FIFA World Cup

In 1938, the men's national football team participated in the FIFA World Cup.

April 1940: Invasion by German forces

In April 1940, Norway, despite proclaiming neutrality in the Second World War, was invaded by German forces.

April 1940: Invasion and occupation by Nazi Germany

In April 1940, Norway, which had been neutral, was invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. This occupation lasted until the end of the war.

June 1940: Norwegians join Allied forces

In June 1940, following their king to Britain, a small group of Norwegians, including 500 men from the Royal Norwegian Navy, left Norway to join the Allied forces during World War II. They had 13 ships and 5 aircraft.

1944: Germany establishes meteorological station in Svalbard

In 1944, during World War II, Germany secretly established a meteorological station in Svalbard, which was not occupied by German troops.

1945: Labour Party majority and Keynesian economics

From 1945, the Labour Party held an absolute majority in the parliament, and the government, led by prime minister Einar Gerhardsen, embarked on a programme inspired by Keynesian economics, emphasising state financed industrialisation and co-operation between trade unions and employers' organisations.

1947: Receiving Marshall Plan aid

In 1947, Norway received Marshall Plan aid from the United States.

1948: Distancing from Communists

In 1948, the Labour Party distanced itself from the Communists after their seizure of power in Czechoslovakia and strengthened its foreign policy and defence policy ties with the US.

April 1949: Norway a founding member of NATO

On 4 April 1949, Norway became one of the founding nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

1949: Founding member of NATO

In 1949, Norway became a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

1949: Rationing of dairy products lifted

In 1949, the rationing of dairy products was lifted in Norway, however, rationing of housing and cars continued.

1960: End of price controls and rationing of housing and cars

In 1960, price controls and rationing of housing and cars ended in Norway.

1962: Norway Applies for Accession to the EU

In 1962, Norway issued applications for accession to the European Union (EU) and its predecessors.

1962: Labour Party held majority

Until 1962, the Labour Party held an absolute majority in the parliament.

1966: Oil wells drilling started

Between 1966 and 2013, Norwegian companies drilled 5,085 oil wells, mostly in the North Sea.

1967: Norway Applies for Accession to the EU

In 1967, Norway issued applications for accession to the European Union (EU) and its predecessors.

1967: Oil discovered at Balder field

In 1967, oil was discovered at the small Balder field in Norway, but production only began in 1999.

1969: Petroleum resources discovered at Ekofisk field

In 1969, the Phillips Petroleum Company discovered petroleum resources at the Ekofisk field west of Norway.

1972: Referendum on joining the European Union fails

In 1972, Norway was invited to join the European Union, but ultimately declined after a referendum that failed by narrow margins.

1972: Norwegians Reject EU Membership

In 1972, Norwegians rejected proposals to join the European Union (EU) in a referendum.

1972: Norwegian Electorate Rejects EU Treaty

In 1972, the Norwegian electorate rejected the treaties of accession in referendums.

1973: Founding of Statoil

In 1973, the Norwegian government founded the State oil company, Statoil (now Equinor).

1975: Peak in workers in industry

Around 1975, both the proportion and absolute number of workers in industry peaked in Norway.

1979: Death Penalty Abolished for High Treason

In 1979, Norway abolished the death penalty for high treason in war and war crimes.

1980: Norway boycott at the Summer Olympics in Moscow

In 1980, Norway participated in the American-led boycott of the Summer Olympics in Moscow.

1981: Conservative Party government replaces Labour Party

In 1981, a Conservative Party government led by Kåre Willoch replaced the Labour Party with a policy of stimulating the stagflated economy with tax cuts, economic liberalisation, deregulation of markets, and measures to curb record-high inflation (13.6% in 1981).

1987: UEFA European Women's Championship titles

In 1987, the women's team won a UEFA European Women's Championship title.

1990: Norway Recognizes ILO Convention on Indigenous People

In 1990, Norway was the first country to recognize ILO-convention 169 on indigenous people recommended by the UN.

1990: Constitutional Amendment on Primogeniture

In 1990, the Norwegian constitution was amended to grant absolute primogeniture to the Norwegian throne, meaning the eldest child, regardless of gender, takes precedence in succession.

1991: Climate data (1991-2020)

Between 1991 and 2020, Saltdal Municipality in Nordland was the driest place in Norway with 211 millimetres (8.3 inches) precipitation annually.

1991: Harald V ascends to the throne

In 1991, Harald V of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg ascended to the Norwegian throne.

1992: Norway Applies for Accession to the EU

In 1992, Norway issued applications for accession to the European Union (EU) and its predecessors.

1993: Norway Legalizes Civil Union Partnerships

In 1993, Norway became the second country to legalize civil union partnerships for same-sex couples.

1993: UEFA European Women's Championship titles & FIFA ranking

In 1993, the women's team won a UEFA European Women's Championship title. The highest FIFA ranking Norway achieved was second.

1994: Norway Maintains Membership in EEA

After the 1994 referendum, Norway maintained its membership in the European Economic Area (EEA), granting the country access to the internal market of the Union.

1994: Second referendum on joining the European Union fails

In 1994, Norway was invited to join the European Union for a second time, but ultimately declined after a referendum that failed by narrow margins.

1994: Norwegians Reject EU Membership Again

In 1994, Norwegians again rejected proposals to join the European Union (EU) in a referendum.

1994: Norwegian Electorate Rejects EU Treaty

In 1994, the Norwegian electorate rejected the treaties of accession in referendums.

1994: FIFA World Cup

In 1994, the men's national football team participated in the FIFA World Cup.

1995: Establishment of Sovereign Wealth Fund

In 1995, the Norwegian government established the sovereign wealth fund, known as the "Government Pension Fund – Global," to be funded with oil revenues.

1995: FIFA Women's World Cup

In 1995, the women's national team won the FIFA Women's World Cup. The highest FIFA ranking Norway achieved was second.

1998: FIFA World Cup

In 1998, the men's national football team participated in the FIFA World Cup.

1998: Women's Handball European Championship

In 1998, the women's handball national team won the European Championship.

1999: Oil production begins at Balder field

In 1999, oil production began at the Balder field, where oil was discovered in 1967.

1999: Women's Handball World Championship

In 1999, the women's handball national team won the World Championship.

2000: Olympic Football Tournament

In 2000, the women's national team won the Olympic Football Tournament. The men's national football team also participated in the European Championship.

2000: Public Healthcare Annual Charge

Public healthcare in Norway is free after an annual charge of around 2000 kroner for those over 16.

2004: Women's Handball European Championship

In 2004, the women's handball national team won the European Championship.

2005: Jens Stoltenberg becomes prime minister

From 2005, Jens Stoltenberg led Norway as prime minister for eight years.

2005: Labour Party in power

In 2005, the Labour Party came into power in Norway after the election, forming a Red–Green Coalition with the Socialist Left Party and the Centre Party.

2006: Women's Handball European Championship

In 2006, the women's handball national team won the European Championship.

2007: European Court of Human Rights battle loss

In 2007, The state lost a battle at the European Court of Human Rights at Strasbourg regarding Christianity subject at schools in Norway.

2007: Passenger Traffic Through Norwegian Airports

In 2007, a total of 41,089,675 passengers passed through Norwegian airports, of whom 13,397,458 were international.

2007: State Ownership in Equinor

In 2007, the Norwegian government controlled approximately 62% ownership in Equinor.

2008: Women's Handball Summer Olympics Championship

In 2008, the women's handball national team won the Summer Olympics championship.

January 2009: Norway Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

On 1 January 2009, Norway became the sixth country to legalize same-sex marriage.

2009: Mobilisation Plans

According to 2009 mobilisation plans, full mobilisation produces approximately 83,000 combatant personnel.

2009: Norway Reclaims First Place in UNDP Human Development Index

In 2009, Norway reclaimed first place in the world in the UNDP Human Development Index (HDI).

2010: Norway Ranked Third in Intergenerational Earnings Elasticity

According to a 2010 study, the OECD ranks Norway third in intergenerational earnings elasticity.

2010: Listing of endangered or vulnerable species

In 2010, 2,398 species in Norway were listed as endangered or vulnerable, with 1,250 listed as vulnerable (VU), 871 as endangered (EN), and 276 species as critically endangered (CR), including the grey wolf, the Arctic fox, and the pool frog.

2010: Red list encompasses 4,599 species

In 2010, the red list of species in Norway encompassed 4,599 species.

2010: Women's Handball European Championship

In 2010, the women's handball national team won the European Championship.

2010: Most democratic country by the Democracy Index

Since 2010, Norway has been classified as the world's most democratic country by the Democracy Index.

2011: Petroleum Industry's Contribution to State Revenues

In 2011, 28% of state revenues in Norway were generated from the petroleum industry.

2011: Terrorist attacks by Anders Behring Breivik

In 2011, Norway suffered two terrorist attacks by Anders Behring Breivik which struck the government quarter in Oslo and a summer camp of the Labour party's youth movement at Utøya island, resulting in 77 deaths and 319 wounded.

2011: Women's Handball World Championship

In 2011, the women's handball national team won the World Championship.

2012: Removal of PM cabinet member rule

In 2012, the rule requiring more than half of the Prime Minister's cabinet members to be members of the Church of Norway was removed.

2012: Women's Handball Summer Olympics Championship

In 2012, the women's handball national team won the Summer Olympics championship.

September 2013: Right-Wing Parties Elected

In September 2013, the political parties Høyre and Fremskrittspartiet were elected in Norway, promising tax cuts, increased spending on infrastructure and education, improved services, and stricter immigration rules. Erna Solberg became prime minister.

2013: Ice hockey biggest indoor sport

As of 2013, ice hockey was the biggest indoor sport in Norway.

2013: Oil wells drilling

Between 1966 and 2013, Norwegian companies drilled 5,085 oil wells, mostly in the North Sea.

2013: Magnus Carlsen world chess champion

In 2013, Magnus Carlsen, a Norwegian, became the world chess champion.

2013: Norway drafts women into armed forces

In 2013, Norway became the first country in Europe and NATO to draft women as well as men into the armed forces.

2013: Value of Mineral Production

In 2013, Norway's mineral production was valued at US$1.5 billion.

2013: Conservative government to power

The 2013 Norwegian parliamentary election brought a more conservative government to power, with the Conservative Party and the Progress Party winning 43% of the electorate's votes.

2013: Norway Ranked Fourth in Better Life Index

The OECD ranks Norway fourth in the 2013 equalised Better Life Index.

March 2014: Plugin electric vehicle stock milestone

In March 2014, Norway became the first country where over 1 in every 100 passenger cars on the roads is a plug-in electric.

2014: Norway bans deforestation

In 2014 at the UN Climate Summit, Norway declared its intention to ban deforestation.

2014: Women's Handball European Championship

In 2014, the women's handball national team won the European Championship.

June 2015: Norway Annexes Unclaimed Antarctic Area

On 12 June 2015, Norway formally annexed the unclaimed area between Queen Maud Land and the South Pole.

2015: Women's Handball World Championship

In 2015, the women's handball national team won the World Championship.

June 2016: Possible Ban of Gasoline and Diesel Vehicles

According to a report by Dagens Næringsliv in June 2016, Norway would like to ban sales of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles as early as 2025.

2016: Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer

In 2016, Norway hosted the Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, making Norway the first country to host both Winter regular and Youth Olympics.

January 2017: Church of Norway becomes a separate legal entity

As of January 2017, the Church of Norway became a separate legal entity, and no longer a branch of the civil service.

2017: Centre-Right Government Re-elected

In 2017, Norway's centre-right government won re-election in the Norwegian parliamentary election.

2017: Government Pension Fund Surpasses US$1 Trillion

In 2017, the Government Pension Fund controlled assets surpassed a value of US$1 trillion, about 250% of Norway's 2017 GDP.

2017: Norway national handball team IHF World Men's Handball Championship

In 2017, the Norway national handball team reached the finals of the IHF World Men's Handball Championship.

2017: Budgetary Rule change for Government Pension Fund

In 2017, the budgetary rule limiting spending from the Government Pension Fund was lowered to 3% of the fund's total value.

2017: Re-election of centre-right government

In the 2017 Norwegian parliamentary election, the centre-right government of Prime Minister Erna Solberg won re-election.

January 2018: Bandy World Championships

As of January 2018, the men's national bandy team has captured one silver and one bronze, while the women's national team has managed five bronzes at the World Championships.

2018: CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Cup

In 2018, Norway featured a women's national team in beach volleyball that competed at the CEV Beach Volleyball Continental Cup.

2019: Norway national handball team IHF World Men's Handball Championship

In 2019, the Norway national handball team reached the finals of the IHF World Men's Handball Championship.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

Norway had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 6.98/10, ranking it 60th globally out of 172 countries.

2020: Climate data (1991-2020)

Between 1991 and 2020, Saltdal Municipality in Nordland was the driest place in Norway with 211 millimetres (8.3 inches) precipitation annually.

2020: Summer Olympics gold metal

In 2020, a men's national team in beach volleyball at the Summer Olympics won a gold medal.

2020: Men's handball boom

In the early 2020's, Men's handball experienced a boom in Norway, with star players including Sander Sagosen and Magnus Abelvik Rød.

October 2021: New Centre-Left Cabinet Takes Office

On 14 October 2021, Norway's new centre-left cabinet under Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the leader of the Labour Party, took office.

2021: Jonas Gahr Støre becomes Prime Minister

In 2021, Jonas Gahr Støre assumed the position of Prime Minister of Norway.

2021: Left-wing opposition win

In the 2021 Norwegian parliamentary election, there was a big win for the left-wing opposition; Labour leader Jonas Gahr Støre was sworn in as prime minister.

2023: Disability Benefit Rate in Norway

As of 2023, 10.6% of the population aged 18–67 receive a disability benefit.

2023: Norway Ranked Last in Failed States Index

Foreign Policy magazine ranks Norway last in its Failed States Index for 2023, judging Norway to be the world's most well-functioning and stable country.

2023: Magnus Carlsen world chess champion

In 2023, Magnus Carlsen was no longer the world chess champion. He had been the world chess champion between 2013 and 2023.

2023: Railway Transportation Statistics

In 2023, the railways transported 78,220,000 passengers, 3,153 million passenger-kilometres, and 32,230,000 tonnes of cargo for 3,928 million tonne-kilometres in Norway.

2023: Kolstad Håndball EHF Champions League season

In the 2023-24 season, Kolstad Håndball had among the highest group stage average crowds in the EHF Champions League.

2024: Norway Ranked First in World Press Freedom Index

In the 2024 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Norway was ranked in first place out of 180 countries.

2024: Kolstad Håndball EHF Champions League season

In the 2024-25 season, Kolstad Håndball had among the highest group stage average crowds in the EHF Champions League.

2024: Environmental Performance Index

The 2024 Environmental Performance Index from Yale University, Columbia University and the World Economic Forum put Norway in seventh place.

February 2025: Norway's Unemployment Rate

As of February 2025, Norway has an unemployment rate of 3.9%, with 69.7% of the population aged 15–74 employed.

2025: Possible Ban of Gasoline and Diesel Vehicles

According to a report by Dagens Næringsliv in June 2016, Norway would like to ban sales of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles as early as 2025.