The ABA’s poster collection also contains a considerable amount of posters about the constitution, i.e. from referendums on the constitution as well as from constitutional events on June 5.

By Hans Uwe Petersen | 04.06.2012

In 1939, the Social Democratic-radical government sought to implement a constitutional amendment that would abolish the Landsting and replace it with a Rigsting, which would be replaced partly by the Folketing and partly by universal suffrage. At the same time, the voting age would be lowered to 23 years. Although the proposal received more than 90% support in the referendum on May 23, 1939, it could not be implemented as the yes votes only represented 44.5% of the total number of eligible voters, which – according to the current constitution of 1915 – was exactly 0.5% too little.

The posters from the constitutional meetings often reflect current political issues such as the Cold War, Denmark’s relationship with European cooperation, attitudes towards foreigners and more fundamental legal issues. As can be seen from the posters reproduced here, Constitution Day was also used for a ‘barn bike rally’ and, since 1996, for a ‘small’ Constitution Day leading up to June 5. Behind the ‘little Constitution Day’ were a number of trade unions and organizations with an interest in children, to remind politicians that children also have rights.

A common feature of constitutional meetings throughout the years has been that, in addition to the political content, the events have always included entertainment and celebrations with music, theater, film, fireworks, etc.