Photographer Páll Stefánsson went to downtown Reykjavík to capture the day’s atmosphere.
Iceland became a republic on 17 June 1944, the birthday of Iceland’s biggest independence hero Jón Sigurðsson (1811-1879). People were happy in downtown Reykjavík; three days before the holiday, the Government gave permission for up to 300 people to come together. Despite relatively cold weather (10° C / 50° F), there was no rain, making the day better. There wasn’t much fanfare, and to make sure people wouldn’t congregate in too large numbers, brass bands, circus people and other entertainers spread through the city centre.
Icelandic scouts walk down Suðurgata from Austurvöllur towards Jón Sigurðsson’s gravestone in Hólavellir cemetery 
Alexandra Briem, Speaker of the City Council, holds a speech by President Jón Sigurðsson’s gravestone 
President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir walk from Alþingi to Austurvöllur during the day’s celebrations. 
Circus in Hljómskálagarður Park 
Many dress up for the occasion, like this mother and daughter. 
The brass band Svanur plays for people on Lækjartorg Square 
Jazz on Skólavörðurstígur, Hallgrímskirkja Church in the background 
Street artists entertain people on corner of Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur 
Brass band of Reykjavík play national songs on Austurvöllur 
People dress up for the day – this time in Austurvöllur 
Actress Hanna María Karlsdóttir was the Mountain Woman (Fjallkonan) this year.
