Finland had been part of the Russian Empire since 1809. Following the Russian revolution and the defeats in the First World War, movements within Finland pushed for independence from Russia and on December 6th 1917, the parliament declared Finland as an independent state.
The Finnish parliament’s vote to adopt the Declaration of Independence on December 6, 1917, was not unanimous. It passed narrowly due to political divisions between non-socialists and social-democrats over who should hold power, reflecting the tense political climate of the time.
The tradition of placing two candles in windows at 6 PM is well-known, but its origins are debated. One theory suggests it began in the 19th century as a covert signal to young Finnish men traveling to Sweden or Germany for military training as jägers, indicating safe houses where they could hide from Russian authorities. Another story ties it to poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg’s birthday, used as a subtle protest against Russian rule.