There was military parades in 3 major cities; Helsinki (capital), Vaasa and Jyväskylä which is only 35 miles to north from here.
With military parade I mean that there was soldiers marching in streets carrying Finland's flag and they had also heavy equipment such as army trucks and tanks driving on streets. Of course all washed and waxed as well as could
Then there's annual tradition, a guest party event in place called President's Palace where Finland's president still used to live in 80's (this present president and the one before her have lived in other place outside of the capital's downtown since 1994)
President invites almost 2000 politicians, actors, athletes, fashion designers, other famous and talented ppl to there and shakes hands with everybody when they come into the Palace.
Then she keeps speech and there's oldschool style dancing and live band etc.
This event is one of Finland most watched thing from TV every year.
As our independence day is not in warm part of the year like USA's 7/4 we don't have outdoor parties and picnics, no, but ppl lift flag up to the pole, burn some blue-n-white candles and celebrate 12/6 with quiet and calm way.
There's only 15 mins of this day left...but;
Hooray for Finland!
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