Are you preparing for Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test)? Then you should know the most important dates in Norwegian history. Years such as 1814, 1905 and 1945 come up time and again on the exam. Many candidates find history hard to remember, but with the right overview it becomes much easier.
This guide gives you a complete revision list of important dates in Norwegian history — from the Viking Age to modern times. You will also find practical tips for memorising the years before the test. We cover the Constitution, the dissolution of the union, the World War and the post-war period. Read through, build yourself a system, and arrive well prepared on exam day.
17 May 1814: the Constitution and Norwegian independence
The most important date in Norwegian history is 17 May (Constitution Day) 1814. On this day the Constitution was signed at Eidsvoll. The Constitution gave Norway its own system of government with a Storting, a government, and independent courts. It is built on the principles of popular sovereignty and separation of powers.
Norway was in union with Denmark for more than 400 years, from 1380 to 1814. When Napoleon lost the war, Norway was transferred to Sweden through the Treaty of Kiel in January 1814. The Norwegians refused to accept this without resistance. 112 delegates met at Eidsvoll and wrote the Constitution.
17 May (Constitution Day) is celebrated every year as Norway's national day. The day is marked with children's parades, flags, and speeches across the country. For Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test) you should know that the Constitution is Norway's highest law. All other laws must be consistent with it.
The Storting can amend the Constitution, but this requires a two-thirds majority and deliberation over two parliamentary terms. This makes amendments thorough and democratic. The Constitution has been amended many times since 1814, including to grant women the right to vote and to strengthen human rights.
Norway entered into union with Sweden in the autumn of 1814, but kept its own constitution. This means the Constitution survived even though Norway was not fully independent. Remember: 17 May 1814 is the one date you must know for the exam. Also read our guide on how the exam works to know what to expect on test day.
Other important years from the Viking Age to the nineteenth century
Norwegian history stretches far back, and some important years before 1814 appear on the test. The Viking Age lasted from around 800 to 1050. During this period Norwegians travelled to Iceland, Greenland, and North America. Harald Fairhair united Norway into one kingdom around the year 872.
Christianity was introduced in Norway around the year 1000. Olav the Holy played a central role in the Christianisation of Norway. He fell at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030 and was later canonised. The Black Death struck Norway in 1349 and killed roughly half the population. This changed society dramatically and weakened the Norwegian nobility.
From 1380 to 1814 Norway was in union with Denmark. This period is often called the "400-year night" because Norway lost much of its self-governance. Copenhagen was the centre of power, and Norwegian culture and language were weakened. The Reformation in 1537 led Norway to become Protestant and Lutheran. The Norwegian Church was placed under the Danish king.
These years give you the foundation for understanding how Norway developed as a nation. The Viking Age, the Black Death, and the Danish period are three eras you should know well. The test does not require detailed knowledge of the Middle Ages, but you should know the main outlines. Write the years on a card and review them regularly — it is the simplest way to fix them in your memory.
Historical events from 1905 to 1945 that often appear on the test
1905 is one of the most important years in Norwegian history after 1814. That year the union with Sweden was dissolved. Norway became a fully independent country and chose its own king, Haakon VII. The dissolution of the union happened peacefully through negotiation and a referendum.
In 1913 women gained full voting rights in Norway. Norway was one of the first countries in the world to grant women this right. This is a common question on Samfunnskunnskapsprøven (Social Studies Test). Men had received universal suffrage in 1898.
Remember the year 1913: Norway granted women full voting rights. This question comes up frequently on the test, and many candidates confuse it with 1898 (voting rights for men).
On 9 April 1940 Nazi Germany attacked Norway. The king and government fled to England and led the resistance from there. King Haakon VII rejected the German demands, and this "royal refusal" is a powerful symbol in Norwegian history. The occupation lasted five years. On 8 May 1945 Norway was liberated. This date is commemorated as Liberation Day. The resistance movement played an important role during the war, and many Norwegians risked their lives fighting the occupation.
The period 1905–1945 is highly relevant for the exam. Focus especially on the dissolution of the union, women's suffrage, and the Second World War. Create a timeline with these three events as anchor points.
How to memorise the dates for Samfunnskunnskapsprøven
Many candidates struggle to remember years. There are simple techniques that make it easier. The most effective method is to group the dates into time periods. Divide history into the Viking Age, the Danish period, the nineteenth century, and the twentieth century. Each period has two to three key dates you should focus on.
Draw yourself a timeline on paper. Write the ten most important years with one sentence about each event. Hang it somewhere you see it every day. Repetition over time is better than cramming everything in one evening. Research shows that spaced repetition gives the best long-term retention.
Also use the connections between events. 1814 and 1905 are linked: first the Constitution, then full independence. 1898 and 1913 are linked: first voting rights for men, then for women. 1940 and 1945 are linked: occupation and liberation. When you see the patterns, the years become easier to remember.
Discuss history with friends or family who are also preparing for the test. Explaining an event in your own words is one of the best ways to learn.
Practise with sample questions from SamfunnPrep's question bank. You learn faster when you test yourself than when you only read. Aim for at least 20 questions a day in the week before the exam. Also check HK-dir (Directorate for Higher Education)'s sample tests to see how the questions are worded. Active practice beats passive reading every time.
Timeline: Norway's most important historical milestones after 1945
After 1945 much happened that shaped today's Norway. In 1949 Norway joined NATO. This was an important security policy decision following the experiences of the war. Norway chose Western cooperation rather than neutrality.
In 1969 oil was discovered in the North Sea. The Ekofisk field completely transformed the Norwegian economy. Norway went from being a relatively poor country to becoming one of the world's wealthiest. The Oil Fund, formally known as the Government Pension Fund Global, manages more than 17,000 billion kroner today.
Norway voted against EU membership twice: in 1972 and in 1994. Both referendums produced narrow majorities against membership. Nevertheless, Norway has close cooperation with the EU through the EEA Agreement, which entered into force in 1994. The EEA gives Norway access to the single market.
In 2011 the 22 July terrorist attack struck Norway. A far-right terrorist killed 77 people in Oslo and on Utøya. The event is part of recent Norwegian history that you should be familiar with. The attack prompted a national debate about values, openness, and democracy.
In 1981 Gro Harlem Brundtland became Norway's first female prime minister. She later chaired the UN Commission on Environment and Development. Gender equality and the environment are topics often linked to the Norwegian post-war era on the test.
After the war Norway built a strong welfare state with universal entitlements to healthcare, education, and social security. The welfare state is financed in part by oil revenues and high taxes. The system ensures that all residents have access to basic services. Read more about welfare schemes and NAV (welfare office) to understand how the system works today. Remember: oil, NATO and the EEA are three keywords for the post-war era.