Gustaf Adolf´s day 6 November

 

Gustavus Adolphus Day is a theme day which is celebrated on November 6 in memory of Gustavus Adolphus's death in 1632, and is a public flag day in Sweden. Gustavus Adolphus was killed in the Battle of Lützen, which was the sixth november ac...

cording to the Julian calendar, according to the Gregorian calendar was the date of 16 november.

The day has been celebrated since the early 1800's and is still popular especially in Göteborg. To celebrate you are eating Gustavus Adolphus pastries. The day is also celebrated in Finland under the name Swedish day.

 

 

Gustav II Adolf was born in 1594. He was the son of Karl IX and his wife Kristina of Holstein-Gottorp. He married Maria Eleonora of Brandenburg who gave birth to a daughter who later would become Queen Kristina of Sweden.

His relations to the Swedish aristocracy were very good. The aristocracy had strengthened its power position after the death of Karl IX. For instance, the King had to consult the Council of Aristocrats before initiating or ending a war. During his regime, many aristocrats were awarded estates in conquered territories, and others were able to buy land, originally belonging to the state. The good relations between the King and the aristocracy created a stable political climate.

During Gustav II Adolf´s period as king, a number of new cities were built, among them the most important, Göteborg. Today you can se the statue of the king on Gustav II Adolf square.

As King, he immediately had to deal with a war against Denmark. In this war the Danes, among other things, occupied the fortress of Älvsborg in Göteborg. The Swedish state had to pay a ransom to get it back. During the 30 Years War, Gustav II Adolf personally led his troops in Germany. At Breitenfelt in 1631, he won a great victory in spite of numerical inferiority. However, one year later, in 1632 , he was killed in the Battle of Lützen. In the peace of Westfalia in 1648, Sweden was established as a Great Power.