Important dates

1921

1 May

Finland introduces Eastern European Time, which is based on Greenwich Mean Time. The local time in Helsinki differs from the time of the 30th meridian east by a little over 20 minutes, so at midnight on 1 May, the clocks are turned forward by 20 minutes and 10.9 seconds.

24 June

The League of Nations decides that Åland is indisputably part of Finland. At the same time, the Finnish government is ordered to secure the islanders’ special status through extended autonomy.

1 August

The law on compulsory education enters into force. All children between seven and thirteen years of age must attend school.

20 October

The convention on the demilitarization and neutralization of the Åland Islands is signed in Geneva.

30 December

People who have worked towards separating Åland from Finland are pardoned.