History of Sisu in Timeline

Sisu is a Finnish concept embodying stoic determination, tenacity, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness, reflecting the Finnish national character. While English lacks a single-word equivalent, terms like tenacity, grit, resilience, and hardiness capture aspects of its meaning, though not necessarily including stoicism or bravery. It is seen as an integral part of Finnish identity and a key cultural value.

1912: Birth of "Finnish sisu" concept

According to folklore researcher Matti Kuusi, the concept of "Finnish sisu" was born in 1912 at the Summer Olympics in Stockholm. Hannes Kolehmainen passed Frenchman Jean Bouin with a smile on the final stretch of the 5,000-meter race, giving the impression of a newly discovered Finnish force of nature.

1917: First mention of "Finnish sisu" in literature

In 1917, "Finnish sisu" was first mentioned in Finnish literature, in the novel Kerran kesällä by Joel Lehtonen.

1938: Icebreaker MS Sisu counterpart

There is a scrapped 1938 counterpart to the icebreaker MS Sisu.

1939: Start of the Winter War popularizes 'sisu' in English

During the Winter War of 1939, the Finnish perseverance in the face of the invasion by the Soviet Union popularized the word 'sisu' in English.

1939: Soviet Union attacks Finland

In November of 1939, the Soviet Union attacked Finland.

January 8, 1940: Time magazine mention of Sisu

On January 8, 1940, Time magazine used the word Sisu.

January 1940: First use of sisu in English Language

On January 8, 1940, Time magazine reported the first use of sisu in the English language.

1941: Finnish alliance with Nazi Germany

In 1941, Finland stuck to its loose alliance with Nazi Germany.

May 10, 1943: Time Magazine Article

On May 10, 1943, Time Magazine published an article mentioning Sisu.

1944: Finnish alliance with Nazi Germany

In 1944, Finland stuck to its loose alliance with Nazi Germany.

July 21, 1952: Time Magazine article about Sisu

On July 21, 1952, Time Magazine wrote an article about Sisu

1952: Sisu in the context of the Cold War

During the 1952 Summer Olympics, sisu was further described in the context of the continuing Cold War looming over the Finnish capital city of Helsinki.

1957: Starship named Sisu in Citizen of the Galaxy

In 1957, a starship with a crew of partly Finnish descent in Robert A. Heinlein's science fiction novel Citizen of the Galaxy is named Sisu.

1960: Sisu in the 1960s

Well into the 1960s, sisu was used to describe the Finnish resistance to the invasion of 20 to 30 years prior and its continuing discontents. In 1960, Austin Goodrich's book, Study in Sisu: Finland's Fight for Independence, was published by Ballantine.

1989: Kuusi describes Finnish Sisu

In 1989, folklore researcher Matti Kuusi described Finnish Sisu in his non-fiction book Möykkyjä ja neulasia.

2004: Nokia CEO describes company's guts as sisu

In 2004, Jorma Ollila, CEO of Nokia, described his company's "guts" by using the word sisu.

2005: Definition of sisu in "From Finland with Love"

In 2005, Roman Schatz defined sisu in his book From Finland with Love as an ability to finish a task successfully.

2007: Sisu firm buys Coventry City FC

In 2007, Sisu, a London-based hedge-fund, bought the football club Coventry City FC.

2007: Kimi Räikkönen wins Formula One Championship

Kimi Räikkönen wins Formula One Championship after leaving McLaren for Ferrari.

2008: Mika Häkkinen describes sisu on Top Gear

In a 2008 episode of Top Gear, F1 racer Mika Häkkinen described sisu to James May.

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2009: Sisu as essential to Finnish national character

In 2009, sisu was described as so essential to the Finnish national character that "to be a real Finn" you must have it: "willpower, tenacity, persistency."

2010: Yooper brings sisu to Detroit Lions

In 2010, a 63-year-old Yooper named Joe Paquette Jr. of Munising, Michigan, walked 425 miles to the Detroit Lions training facility to bring the spirit of sisu to the team.

2010: Increasing popularity of Sisu as a male name

More than 2,000 Finnish men have the name Sisu, most of them being born after 2010.

May 2013: Online survey on cultural representations of sisu

In May 2013, a related online survey tracked the cultural representations of sisu among contemporary Finns and Finnish Americans. It revealed that sisu is still deeply valued, and that there is public interest for cultivating this strength capacity as well.

June 2013: Introduction of Sisu as a psychological power potential

On June 29, 2013, Sisu as a psychological power potential was introduced for the first time at the 3rd World Congress on Positive Psychology in Los Angeles. It was described as a psychological key competence enabling extraordinary action to overcome challenging situations and contributing to an action mindset.