The date of Iceland's independence, 17th of June, was chosen as it was the birthdate of Jón Sigurðsson, who fought hard for Iceland to gain independence, although he was not around when it finally came. Iceland lost its independence way back in 1262, when it became a part of the Norwegian crown but it later became a Danish colony in 1380. Iceland gained independence from Denmark in the year 1944. 17th of June is Iceland's independence day.
