Gustavus Adolphus Day (redirected from Gustaf Adolfsdagen)

Gustavus Adolphus Day (Gustaf Adolfsdagen)

November 6

Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632) was the king of Sweden (1611-32) who laid the foundations of the modern Swedish state and turned the country into a major European power. By resolving the long-standing constitutional struggle between the crown and the aristocracy, he was able to achieve sweeping reforms in the fields of administrative organization, economic development, and particularly education. Among other things, he created the Gymnasia in 1620, which provided for secondary education in Sweden, and gave the University of Uppsala the financial support it needed to flourish.
King Gustav II was killed during the Thirty Years' War while leading a cavalry charge at the Battle of Lützen on November 6, 1632, turning a tactical victory into a national tragedy for the Swedes. The anniversary of his death is observed throughout Sweden with patriotic demonstrations—particularly in Skansen, Stockholm's outdoor museum. Enormous bonfires are built on Reindeer Mountain and processions of students carry lighted torches through the museum grounds.

SOURCES:
BkFest-1937, p. 312

Celebration day: Nov 6