Finland Celebrates 100th Commemoration As An Independent Nation (1917-2017)!
Michael Matheron, December 6. 2017
Few of us become familiar with northern European history, and we can rarely identify Finland on a map. Many others, however, have learned what Finland is all about. I didn’t come to it naturally until I was able to convince a Finn to go out with me, and eventually to marry me. She’s Finnish American, and taught me about Finland’s history, and its people’s heritage of independence and bravery in pursuit of it. One hundred years ago, they achieved independence after a civil war near the end of the first world war, and since then, have fought off the Russians in 1939’s Winter War, survived the cold war, and established a worldwide reputation as a stable and productive social democracy. The way ahead will be difficult as Finland faces the effects of climate change, both environmentally and politically as a more aggressive Russian Federation covers its eastern flank. The Finns, however, have proved a staunch icon of independence and defender of liberty. There are no limits to their bravery.
