history
Latest articles on history in Sweden.
The people and stories behind some of Sweden's common street names
You've seen their names dozens of times, but how much do you know about the people who gave their names to Sweden's streets? From kings to diplomats, here's a look at some of the people and faces behind the road names.
Why Sweden marks Sami National Day on February 6th
On February 6th, Sami National Day is celebrated across Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
Everything you need to know about Swedish bomb shelters and where to find them
Sweden has over 65,000 shelters to be used in the event of war. Find out how to find your nearest shelter, and how you'll know when to use it.
How a Viking king inspired one of our best-known modern technologies
A Swede and American tell the story of how they hatched the idea for the moniker 'Bluetooth' over beers.
Five political crises in Sweden's history and how they were resolved
Sweden's political landscape has changed significantly in recent years, leading to a situation where for the first time a sitting PM has been toppled in a no-confidence vote. But it's not the first time the country has experienced political turmoil, so we look back at previous crises, what caused them and how Sweden got through them.
Why is Sweden called Sweden? The Local answers Google's questions
Why is Sweden called Sweden? Why is Sweden so depressing? Why is Sweden so rich? In this series of articles, The Local answers some of the most common questions that appear when you type "Why is Sweden..." into the Google search engine.
Did you know? The Scandinavians never spoke of themselves as Vikings
Ah, Vikings, the ruthless Scandinavian warriors who pillaged and plundered? Think again, because that reputation is only part of the picture. Here are five facts you maybe didn't know about Vikings.
VIDEO: Meet the archaeologists protecting Sweden's historic shipwrecks from looters
Experts believe up to 20,000 shipwrecks lie on the floor of the Baltic Sea. But looting has been on the rise in recent years, so archaeologists, police and the coast guard are teaming up to protect them.
Sweden: the world's most equal country?
Sweden is universally thought of as an equality paradise. Economic historian Erik Bengtsson now disproves the belief that this Swedish egalitarianism is rooted in a centuries-old tradition: "Sweden used to excel in inequality."
How a tip-off revealed Holocaust horrors to Swedish diplomat
What if Sweden had acted earlier on a Holocaust tip-off received by a Swedish diplomat in 1942, after a chance encounter with an SS officer on a train?
Tyrant or reformer? The Danish king behind the 'Stockholm Bloodbath'
Five hundred years ago this Sunday, 82 Swedish noblemen were executed at Stockholm castle, leading to the establishment of the Swedish nation state. But was Christian II of Denmark, who ordered the Stockholm Bloodbath, all bad?
What unites and divides the Nordic countries?
Since the onset of the pandemic, the idea of a 'Nordic unity' has been difficult to sustain. Why do we speak of Northern Europe as a separate entity and, if these countries are so similar, what explains the divergences in approach to the coronavirus crisis?
Swedish archaeologists uncover remains of 8,400-year-old dog
The remains of a dog dating back several millennia have been uncovered at a pre-Viking era burial site in Sweden, making it the oldest such find in the country.
In Pictures: Walk through the history of Malmö with new app
Be Here Then is a new app designed to show what areas of Swedish cities looked like in the past. Richard Orange went for a walk back in time in Malmö.
The immigrants you've probably never heard of who made Swedish history
Immigrants to Sweden have made a huge contribution to architecture, journalism, science and more, explains Victoria Martinez, an American historical researcher, writer and author living in Småland, Sweden.
INTERVIEW: Sweden's anti-racism protests aren't just about what's happening in other countries
News coverage of Black Lives Matter in Sweden has fallen into the same damaging patterns often seen in discussions of race and racism in the country, researcher Michael McEachrane tells The Local; the fallacy that racism is something belonging either to other countries or to the past.
The little-known role Sweden played in the colonial slave trade
All around Stockholm are streets, buildings and statues linked to Sweden's role in the slave trade, but few of the people who pass them every day know their stories.
How did Sweden tackle the Spanish flu a century ago?
Almost exactly a hundred years ago another pandemic raged across the world. The disease, known as the Spanish flu, had an extremely high – and unusual – death toll, mostly affecting young, healthy people. What did the Swedish government at the time do to curb the spread of the virus? How successful was their strategy? And: are there any take-aways for today's coronavirus crisis?
Analysis: How neutral was Sweden really in World War Two?
The issue of Swedish neutrality during World War Two is not as straightforward as it may seem. While the country maintains its reputation of a peaceful nation, historians question the validity of this self-image, writes Anne Grietje Franssen in this analysis piece.
Watch: Who were the 1.3 million Swedes who once emigrated to the US?
More than 1.3 million Swedes emigrated to the US between 1850 and 1930. This is their amazing story.
In Pictures: Stockholm's iconic Vasa warship up close
A new exhibition at Stockholm's Vasa Museum explores the 17th century ship's role both as a warship and a form of propaganda. The Local visited the museum ahead of the February 8th exhibition opening.
80-year-old gets finders' fee decades after pulling ancient sword from Swedish lake
A man who found a 3,000-year-old sword while swimming has been given a fee by the state for uncovering the relic.
Did Vikings erect this runestone in fear of another climate crisis?
Researchers believe Sweden's most famous runestone may have been erected by Vikings who feared another 'catastrophic' winter.