Some important and interesting events in the history of Finland from 1906 to 2007

1906: Finnish women were the first in Europe to get the right to vote in general elections 1906: Finnish women were the first in Europe to get the right to vote in general elections 1917: Finland became an independent state 1918: Finland was a monarchy for 67 days (King Väinö I from Germany) but Finns chose to be a republic : K.J. Ståhlberg, the first president : K.J. Ståhlberg, the first president : Finland was known for its famous sportsmen such as Paavo Nurmi (a long distance runner) : Finland was known for its famous sportsmen such as Paavo Nurmi (a long distance runner) 1926: YLE, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, was founded, Jazz music came to Finland 1926: YLE, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, was founded, Jazz music came to Finland

: Prohibition: selling, making or drinking alcohol was prohibited : Prohibition: selling, making or drinking alcohol was prohibited 1931: The first Finnish sound film was made 1931: The first Finnish sound film was made 1939: F.E. Sillanpää got the Noble Prize in literature 1939: F.E. Sillanpää got the Noble Prize in literature Winter War against the Soviet Union Winter War against the Soviet Union After fighting for 105 days Finns managed to keep the country independent After fighting for 105 days Finns managed to keep the country independent

1939: F.E. Sillanpää got the Noble Prize in literature Winter War against the Soviet Union After fighting for 105 days Finns managed to keep the country independent : Continuation War against the Soviet Union The country remained independent but had to cede large areas to the Soviet Union in the peace treaty 1945: A.I Virtanen got the Noble Prize in Chemistry 1952: The Olympic Games in Helsinki Coca Cola arrived in Finland Armi Kuusela was chosen the most beautiful woman in the universe

: Urho Kekkonen was the president of Finland : Urho Kekkonen was the president of Finland 1960s: The hippies 1960s: The hippies 1972&1976: Lasse Viren ( a long distance runner) won several gold medals in the Olympic Games 1972&1976: Lasse Viren ( a long distance runner) won several gold medals in the Olympic Games 1985: The beginning of the world famous tango festivals in Seinäjoki 1985: The beginning of the world famous tango festivals in Seinäjoki 1990s: Very bad inflation 1990s: Very bad inflation 1995: Finland joined the EU 1995: Finland joined the EU 2000: Tarja Halonen was elected the first female president in Finland 2000: Tarja Halonen was elected the first female president in Finland 2002: Finland gave up its own currency Markka for Euro 2002: Finland gave up its own currency Markka for Euro 2006: The Finnish band Lordi won the Eurovision Song Contest 2006: The Finnish band Lordi won the Eurovision Song Contest

Tarja Halonen

Halonen was appointed President of Finland in 2000 the first time Halonen was appointed President of Finland in 2000 the first time She was re-elected in 2006 She was re-elected in 2006 She is the 11th President of Finland and the first female president She is the 11th President of Finland and the first female president She represented the Social Democratic Party becore becoming president She represented the Social Democratic Party becore becoming president She is married to Dr Pentti Arajärvi and has one daughter Anna She is married to Dr Pentti Arajärvi and has one daughter Anna Her interests include gardening, swimming, theatre, visual arts and art history Her interests include gardening, swimming, theatre, visual arts and art history

Mika Häkkinen (1968- F1-driver)

Mika Häkkinen is the greatest F1 driver in the Finnish history Mika Häkkinen is the greatest F1 driver in the Finnish history He started his career in carting at the age of 15 He started his career in carting at the age of 15 His first F1 competition was in Phoenix, USA in 1991 in the team of Lotus-Judd His first F1 competition was in Phoenix, USA in 1991 in the team of Lotus-Judd He moved to McLaren team as a test driver in 1993 He moved to McLaren team as a test driver in 1993 He stayed in McLaren team to the end of his racing career He stayed in McLaren team to the end of his racing career He won F1 championships in 1998 and 1999 He won F1 championships in 1998 and 1999 he left F1 to spend more time with his family he left F1 to spend more time with his family Later he continued in German DTM races in 2005 Later he continued in German DTM races in 2005 During his career he won 20 competitions, got 26 pole positions and 25 fastest laps During his career he won 20 competitions, got 26 pole positions and 25 fastest laps

Armi Kuusela (Miss Universe 1952)

She won the Finnish Beauty Queen Contest in 1952 She won the Finnish Beauty Queen Contest in 1952 Kuusela participated in the first-ever Miss Universe contest and was the first winner Kuusela participated in the first-ever Miss Universe contest and was the first winner In 1953 Armi Kuusela married a Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario and had five children with him In 1953 Armi Kuusela married a Filipino businessman Virgilio Hilario and had five children with him Her first husband died in 1975 Her first husband died in 1975 She is now married to an American diplomat Albert Williams She is now married to an American diplomat Albert Williams