Editing Icelanders (section)

=== Independence and prosperity ===
[[Image:JonSigurdssonStatue.jpg|thumb|220px|left|Statue of Jón Sigurðsson in [[Reykjavík]]]]
The 19th century brought significant improvement in the Icelanders' situation. A protest movement was led by [[Jón Sigurðsson]], a statesman, historian, and authority on [[Icelandic literature]]. Inspired by the [[Romanticism|romantic]] and [[Nationalism|nationalist]] currents from mainland Europe, Jón protested strongly, through political journals and self-publications, for 'a return to national consciousness' and for political and social changes to be made to help speed up Iceland's development.<ref name="F6">Fiske ''et al.'', 1972, p. 6</ref>

In 1854, the [[Danish government]] relaxed the trade ban that had been imposed in 1602, and Iceland gradually began to rejoin Western Europe economically and socially. With this return of contact with other peoples came a reawakening of Iceland's arts, especially its literature. Twenty years later in 1874, Iceland was granted a constitution. Icelanders today recognize Jón's efforts as largely responsible for their economic and social resurgence.<ref name="F6"/>

Iceland gained full sovereignty and independence from Denmark in 1918 after [[World War I]]. It became the [[Kingdom of Iceland]]. The King of Denmark also served as the King of Iceland but Iceland retained only formal ties with the Danish Crown. On 17 June 1944 the monarchy was abolished and a republic was established on Jón Sigurðsson's 133rd birthday. This ended nearly six centuries of ties with Denmark.<ref name="F6"/>