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🇮🇸 Iceland /Culture & Society

Icelandic leaders wish U.S. happy 250th Independence Day

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir sent birthday wishes to the United States on its 250th Independence Day.
  • They highlighted the long-standing friendship between Iceland and the U.S., referencing Leif Erikson's historical journey and U.S. recognition of Iceland's independence in 1944.
  • The ministers also acknowledged the importance of the NATO alliance and the 1951 defense agreement, noting the historical U.S. military presence in Iceland.

Reykjavík, Iceland – Iceland's Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Foreign Minister Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir extended warm congratulations to the United States on its 250th Independence Day, July 4.

We send our heartfelt congratulations from the Icelandic nation to our dear friends in the United States.

— Kristrún FrostadóttirPrime Minister of Iceland conveying birthday wishes to the U.S. on its Independence Day.

In a video message shared on Instagram, the two leaders conveyed heartfelt wishes from the Icelandic nation to their American friends. "Happy birthday, America!" they said in unison. Frostadóttir emphasized the deep historical ties between Iceland and the U.S., noting that the Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson was among the first Europeans to reach North America around the year 1000.

Iceland and the United States have a friendship that goes back centuries. Indeed, it was the Icelander Leif Erikson who first traveled to North America around the year 1000.

— Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð GylfadóttirForeign Minister of Iceland highlighting the historical depth of the relationship between the two nations.

Gylfadóttir recalled the significant support provided by the United States in 1944 when it became the first nation to recognize Iceland's independence on June 17 of that year. She also highlighted the establishment of NATO and the bilateral defense agreement signed in 1951, which led to the presence of a U.S. military base at Keflavík Airport until 2006. Gylfadóttir stated that the base not only ensured security in the North Atlantic but also strengthened the relationship between the two countries on a personal level.

We will forever be grateful for the support of the Americans in 1944, when the United States was the first nation to recognize our independence on June 17 of the same year.

— Kristrún FrostadóttirPrime Minister of Iceland expressing gratitude for U.S. recognition of Iceland's independence.

Both ministers underscored the critical importance of strong alliances, particularly in challenging global times. They concluded by reiterating their birthday wishes to the United States, celebrating a friendship that spans centuries and continues to be a cornerstone of security and cooperation.

It (the military base) did more than just ensure security in the North Atlantic. It also strengthened the relationship between the nations, person to person.

— Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð GylfadóttirForeign Minister of Iceland reflecting on the impact of the U.S. military base in Keflavík.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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