Norse-American Centennial

Centennial Speeches

During the Centennial, speeches were given on Sunday through Tuesday, with various musical performances scattered throughout the program. The Sunday morning services started in Norwegian and featured speeches from Dr. H.G. Stub and Bishop John Lunde from Norway, along with musical performances from the St. Olaf Choir and the Luther Band. In the afternoon speeches, which were also in Norwegian, included Centennial President Gisle Bothne, along with a speech from Minnesota governor Theodore Christianson.  

Next, Norwegian representatives provided best wishes from Norway, including King Haakon VII’s representative Minister H. Bryn, Lars Oftedal representing the government, C.J. Hambro representing Stortinget, and Rektor Fredrik Stang representing universities in Norway. The Sunday evening concert featured performances from the St. Olaf College Band, Henrik Wergeland, Ole Bull, and many others.  

Monday, June 9, 1925: President Coolidge Speaks

Monday began with a song from the Concordia Choir, along with fifteen minute speeches in Norwegian from speakers Lars Oftedal, Ole Rølvaag, A.J. Bøe, and many others. Afterwards were more fifteen minute speeches, this time in English, from professors Theodore Blegen, O.M. Norlie, Dr. Carl Kolset, and others. The Presidential section started at 2:30 PM on Monday and began with the United States Marine Band. 

President Calvin Coolidge was also joined with an honorary bodyguard, made up of Norwegian-American veterans. Afterwards, the centennial continued with speeches from Canadian and Norwegian government representatives, Senator Peter Norbeck of South Dakota, Senator Henrik Shipstead of Minnesota, and Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg. 

The headlining speech of the Centennial was President Calvin Coolidge, who chose to visit and speak at the Centennial before taking a vacation. President Coolidge was introduced by Minnesota Governor Theodore Christianson. In his speech, Calvin Coolidge acknowledged Leif Erikson’s “discovery” of America 500 years before Columbus (although neither truly discovered America, as there were already people living in America). Surrounded by Norwegian members of Congress, representatives of the Norwegian government and King of Norway, Calvin Coolidge celebrated the achievements of Norwegians in America and their place in American society. In the final lines of Coolidge’s speech, he states, 

“When I look upon you and realize what you are and what you have done, I know that in your hands our country is secure. You have laid up your treasure in what America represents, and there will your heart be also. You have given your pledge to the Land of the Free. The pledge of the Norwegian people has never yet gone unredeemed” (9). With Coolidge’s speech, particularly his last lines, the Norwegian-Americans solidified their place as an important part of America. 

This is further supported by John Jenswold’s article on the redefining of Norwegian-American on the Norse-American Centennial. In the article, he states, “Responding to the decade's challenges, ethnic leaders promoted the image of a group that had evolved from wholesome rural roots and ancient Norse values to become not totally Norwegian and not totally American, but Norwegian American … To them, Coolidge's warm words legitimated the process of redefinition of Norwegian- American identity. His was the highest blessing of the host culture, giving the Norwegian leaders permission to promote an image of their group that was somewhat different, yet a recognized part of the often threatening but everchanging mainstream of American life” (p. 22-23).


 

Greetings From Other Dignitaries

After the Presidential session was the Centennial Official Session, which featured official greetings from the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Premier Brack and Consul Bjorke from Canada, and greetings from Storting to Minnesota via C.J. Hambro. After this were greetings and speeches from representatives of the governors of Illinois and New York, along with speeches from the Norwegian-American governors. Then came greetings from the Norwegian-American representatives in Congress.

Tuesday, the final day of the Centennial, started with more fifteen minute speeches, mainly greetings from other Scandinavian-American groups congratulating the Centennial. After these greetings came more fifteen minute speeches by the Women’s Auxiliary Committee. Prominent speakers included Marie Michelet from Norway, Dean Gertrude Hilleboe, and Mrs. Wm. O. Storlie; chairman of the Women’s Auxiliary Committee. The Centennial concluded with The Pageant of the Northman, which featured 1,500 performers and focused on Norwegian migration to the Midwest. 

Politicians of Norse decent in 1925 included:

This page has paths: