December 6 is celebrated in Finland independence Day countries from the Russian Empire. This event took place in 1917, after Russia was weakened by the First World War and the revolution and could no longer hold its former borders.

But in Finland itself, disagreements between pro-communist and conservative parties still reigned for some time. But after the overthrow of the Provisional Government in Petrograd, the Parliament of the Grand Duchy of Finland, headed by Per Evind Svingufvud at that time, declared itself the legitimate authority and made a loud statement about the country’s withdrawal from Russian rule.

Soon after that, a civil war broke out in the country between the Whites (conservative forces) and the Reds (pro-communist), in which the Whites won with the help of German troops.

For more than 50 years, the holiday was celebrated only with solemn speeches and religious services. But in 1970, traditions gradually began to change. People began to decorate their homes and shop windows with white and blue ribbons. Confectioners invented to bake cakes, the icing of which also had the colors of the country’s flag.

Also on this day, they started leaving blue and white candles on the windows of houses in the evening. This tradition was founded in honor of honoring the fifth poet Johann Runeberg, who spoke against Russian oppression in his works.