Calendar Holiday
When
25. apríl 2027

Flaggdagur (Flag Day)

Flag Day is celebrated on April 25th to commemorate the recognition of the Faroese flag, Merkið, as the national flag of the Faroese people on that date in 1940. This occurred during the British occupation of the Faroe Islands, which began on April 13th, following Denmark’s invasion by Germany on April 9th. On April 25th, 1940, the British government announced on BBC radio that Faroese ships were to sail under the Faroese flag, Merkið. At the time, the Faroe Islands were under British occupation, while Denmark was occupied by Germany.

The flag was not unknown to the Faroese, however. Since 1947, April 25th has been observed as Flag Day, and in the Home Rule Act of 1948, the Danish government officially recognized Merkið as the national flag of the Faroe Islands. The Faroese Parliament passed legislation detailing how the flag should be used and defining its colors.

Merkið was first created by the Faroese student Jens Olivur Lisberg as early as 1919. April 25th is also known as the Feast of St. Mark.