Denmark re-establishes the Althing in Iceland as an advisory body

Background. The Althing, originally a general assembly of the Icelandic Commonwealth, lost its legislative power after Iceland's union with Norway in 1262. It was suspended from 1799 to 1845. The 1843 decree aimed to restore this historic institution, widely seen as a re-establishment of the assembly founded in 930, though initially as an advisory body to the Danish monarch.

Establishment. A royal decree providing for the establishment of a new Althing was issued on 8 March 1843. Elections were held the following year, and the assembly finally met on 1 July 1845 in Reykjavík. The modern parliament was founded in 1845 as an advisory body to the Danish monarch.

Controversy. Some Icelandic nationalists, specifically the Fjölnir group, opposed Reykjavík as the location for the newly established Althing. They perceived the city as being too influenced by Danes, reflecting broader nationalist sentiments that were active in the mid-19th century.