Helsinki City Guide - History

1155 The first crusade to Finland by the Swedes, who incorporate it into the Swedish realm
1130-1250 The Stenkils family rule Finland
1249 Swede Birger Jarl establishes settlements in Tavastia and along the northern coast of Finland
1527 King Gustav Vasa of Sweden becomes a Lutheran. Catholic property is confiscated.
1550 Helsinki is established as a trading town by King Gustav Vasa
1714-21 Peter the Great of Russia invades Finland, a time known as The Great Wrath
1721 The Treaty of Uusikaupunki brings peace; Sweden loses South Karelia, but retains a strong footing
1740s The Swedes build fortifications along the coast, at Suomenlinna and Lovissa
1788-89 Sweden and Russia clash in a sea battle
1796 The Swedish king Gustav IV Adolf enters the Napoleonic wars
1808 Russia attacks Finland
1809 Gustav IV Adolf loses his crown and Finland is handed over to Russia by Sweden, becoming a partly autonomous Grand Duchy under the Russian emperor
1812 St Petersburg nominates Helsinki as its Finnish capital and building work starts on Senate Square
1835 The first edition of the Kalevala is published
1906 Finnish women become the second in the world to gain the vote
6 Dec 1917 Finland declares independence
1919 The present constitution is adopted and Finland becomes a republic
1952 The 15th Olympic Games are held in Helsinki
1955 Finland joins the United Nations
1995 Finland becomes a member of the European Union
2000 Helsinki is elected European City of Culture