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A constitutional referendum was held in Iceland between 20 and 23 May 1944. The 1918 Danish–Icelandic Act of Union declared Iceland to be a sovereign state separate from Denmark, but maintained the two countries in a personal union, with the king of Denmark also being the king of Iceland. In the two-part referendum, voters were asked whether the union with Denmark should be abolished, and whether to adopt a new republican constitution. Both measures were approved, each with more than 98% in favour. Voter turnout was 98% overall, and 100% in two constituencies, Seyðisfjörður and Vestur-Skaftafjellssýsla.

Results

Aftermath

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The union with Denmark was dissolved on 17 June 1944. As Denmark was still occupied by Nazi Germany, many Danes felt offended that the step was taken at that time. Nevertheless, King Christian X of Denmark sent a message of congratulations to Icelanders.

The republican celebration was held in Þingvellir on 17 June 1944. At 13:30, Prime Minister Björn Þórðarson set the celebrations going, after which a religious ceremony was held. The Icelandic flag was raised and the members of the parliament rose from their seats as church bells rang. All declared unilaterally that Iceland would henceforth be a republic. The members of parliament then chose Sveinn Björnsson as the first president. Sveinn had been regent of Iceland and the king's representative during the war years. He was the only president not elected directly by the people of Iceland.

See also

• Iceland during World War II

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p961 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p967
3. Hálfdanarson, Guðmundur (2001). Íslenska þjóðríkið - uppruni og endamörk. p. 139.

v t e Elections and referendums in Iceland
Parliamentary elections	1844 1852 1858 1864 1869 1874 1880 1886 1892 1894 1900 1902 1903 1908 1911 1914 1916 (Aug) 1916 (Oct) 1919 1922 1923 1926 1927 1930 1931 1933 1934 1937 1942 (Jul) 1942 (Oct) 1946 1949 1953 1956 1959 (Jun) 1959 (Oct) 1963 1967 1971 1974 1978 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003 2007 2009 2013 2016 2017 2021 2024
Presidential elections	1944 1945 1949 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016 2020 2024
Municipal elections	1930 1934 1938 1942 1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
Referendums	1908 1916 1918 1933 1944 2010 2011 2012
Constitutional Assembly	2010

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