2014 Event Russia seeks to intimidate Finland out of thoughts of joining NATO; a representative of Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that any moves by Finland to do so could potentially trigger World War III 2012 Event Finland holds the first round of its Presidential election 2010 Event Planes across the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia are grounded as a result of the volcanic ash coming from Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano 1998 Event 1st female ice hockey game in Olympic history Finland beats Sweden 6-0 1995 Death Vieno J Sukselainen, Prime Minister of Finland 1959 - 1961, dies 1995 Event Finland Social-Democratic Party wins parliamentary election 1995 Event Austria, Finland and Sweden act to join European Union 1994 Event Martti Ahtisaari inaugurated as president of Finland 1994 Event Martti Ahtisaari elected president of Finland 1991 Event Seppo Raty of Finland improves his world javelin record to 318' 1" 1991 Event Seppo Raty of Finland sets javelin record to 301' 9" 1987 Event West German pilot Mathias Rust, who flew a private plane from Helsinki Finland, to Moscow's Red Square, forms trial in Russia 1986 Death Urho K Kekkonen, premier/president of Finland, dies at 85 1985 Event Matti Nykanen of Finland set a world ski jump record of 623' 1983 Event Ice Dance Championship at Helsinki Finland won by Torvill and Dean (GRB) 1982 Event Finland, Italy, Germany, Austria and France form American European Football Federation (AEFF) 1982 Event Mauno Koivisto installed as president of Finland 1982 Event Mauno Koivisto elected president of Finland 1981 Birthday Emma Laaksonen, ice hockey defenseman, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1980 Event USA Olympic hockey team defeated Finland, 4-2, to win the gold medal 1978 Birthday Sanna Lankosaari, ice hockey right wing, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1978 Birthday Karolina Rantamaki, ice hockey left wing, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1977 Birthday Tuula Puputti, ice hockey goalie, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1977 Birthday Maria Helena Selin, ice hockey right wing, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1977 Birthday Lola Odusoga, Finland, Miss Universe-3rd place 1996 1977 Birthday Aki-Petteri Berg, NHL defenseman, Team Finland, Kings, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1976 Birthday Ville Valo, born in Helsinki, Finland, musician, singer, songwriter, leader, HIM rock band, baritone voice, Moto Moto in Finnish version of movie, Madagaskar 2 1976 Birthday Kirsi Haenninen, ice hockey defenseman, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1976 Birthday Karita Tuomola, Miss Finland Universe 1997 1975 Birthday Katja Riipi, ice hockey left wing, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1975 Birthday Petra Vaarakallio, ice hockey center, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1975 Birthday Jaane Niinimaa, Raahe FIN, NHL defenseman, Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1975 Birthday Kimmo Timonen, hockey defenseman, Team Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1975 Birthday Marika Lehtimaki, ice hockey center, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1974 Birthday Tuomas Gronman, NHL defenseman, Team Finland, Pittsburgh, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1974 Birthday Pavi Sald, ice hockey defenseman, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1974 Birthday Juha Lind, NHL forward, Team Finland, Dallas, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1973 Birthday Kimmo Rinatnen, hockey forward, Team Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1973 Birthday Hanna Riikka Nieminen, ice hockey right wing, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1973 Birthday Ville Peltonen, Vantaa FIN, NHL forward, Team Finland, San Jose 1973 Birthday Ville Peltonen, hockey forward, Team Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1973 Birthday Tlia Reima, ice hockey center, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1972 Birthday Petteri Nummelin, Turku FIN, hockey defenseman, Team Finland 1972 Birthday Katja Maaria Lehtd, ice hockey defenseman, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1972 Death Edmund Wilson, U.S. writer (To the Finland station), dies at 79 1972 Birthday Marko Kiprusoff, Turku FIN, NHL defenseman, Team Finland, Montreal 1972 Birthday Anna Falchi, born in Tampera, Finland, actress, La Dolce Vita '90 1972 Event 76th Boston Marathon won by Olavi Suomalainen of Finland in 2:15:39 1972 Birthday Juha Ylonen, Helsinki, Finland, NHL forward, Phoenix, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1971 Birthday Sari Kristiina Fisk, ice hockey defenseman, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1971 Birthday Jari Litmanen, born in Hollola, Finland, professional soccer player, attacking midfielder, second striker, played for Lahti, considered Finland's greatest player ever 1970 Birthday Antii Tormenen, Espoo FIN, NHL forward, Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1970 Birthday Teemu Selanne, born in Helsinki, Finland, NHL right wing, Anaheim Mighty Ducks 1970 Birthday Janne Laukenen, Lahti FIN, NHL defenseman, Senators, Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 1996 Olympics 1970 Birthday Marja Helena Paluila, ice hockey defenseman, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1970 Birthday Mika Stromberg, Helsinki FIN, hockey defenseman, Team Finland 1969 Birthday Linus Torvalds, born in Helsinki, Finland, inventor, software engineer, pioneered development of the Linux kernel, a free, open source software operating system 1969 Event SALT-discussions open in Helsinki Finland 1969 Birthday Ari Sulander, hockey goaltender, Team Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1969 Birthday Kai Nurminen, Turku FIN, hockey forward, Team Finland 1969 Birthday Johanna Ikonen, ice hockey defenseman, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1968 Birthday Lissa Maria Sneck, ice hockey goalie, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1968 Birthday Kata Karkkainen, Helsinki Finland, playmate, Dec, 1988 1968 Birthday Mika Hakkinen, born in Vantaa, Finland, racing driver, Formula One World Champion, seven times world champion 1968 Birthday Teppo Numminen, born in Tampere, Finland, NHL defenseman, Winnipeg Jets, Coyotes 1968 Birthday Janne Ojanen, Tampere FIN, hockey forward, Team Finland 1968 Birthday Sari Krooks, ice hockey right wing, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1967 Birthday Markus Ketterer, Helsinki FIN, hockey goalie, Team Finland 1967 Birthday Satu Huotari, ice hockey defenseman, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1967 Birthday Marianne Ihalainen, ice hockey right wing, Finland, 1998 Olympics 1966 Birthday Jyrki Lumme, born in Tampere, Finland, NHL defenseman, Canucks, Finland 1966 Birthday Mika Nieminen, Tampere FIN, hockey forward, Team Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1965 Birthday Jammo Myllys, Savonlinna FIN, hockey goalie, Team Finland, Bronze Medal 1998 Olympics 1965 Birthday Mikko Makela, Tampere Finland, NHL right wing for the New York Islanders 1964 Birthday Raimo Helminen, born in Tampere, Finland, hockey forward, Team Finland, 1998 Olympic Bronze 1964 Birthday Christian Ruuttu, Lappeenranta FIN, hockey forward, Team Finland 1963 Birthday Timo Jutila, Tampere FIN, hockey defenseman, Team Finland 1963 Birthday Gina Goldberg, born in Turku, Finland, born Tina Verienius, model, actress, singer, Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month, May, 1981 1963 Birthday Kari Takko, Uusikaupunki FIN, hockey goalie, Team Finland 1963 Birthday Hannu Virta, born in Turku FIN, hockey defenseman, Team Finland 1962 Birthday Tina Lehtola, born in Finland, women's ski jumper, world's record holder 1962 Event 66th Boston Marathon won by Eino Oksanen of Finland in 2:23:48 1962 Birthday Jukka Tammi, hockey goaltender, Team Finland 1998 Olympics Bronze 1961 Event Finland's Miettunen government forms 1961 Event 65th Boston Marathon won by Eino Oksanen of Finland in 2:23:39 1961 Birthday Tiina Lillak, born in Finland, javelin thrower 1984 Olympics silver 1960 Event 64th Boston Marathon won by Paavo Kotila of Finland in 2:20:54 1959 Event 63rd Boston Marathon won by Eino Oksanen of Finland in 2:22:42 1958 Birthday Esa-Pekka Salonen, born in Helsinki, Finland, conductor, Giro 1958 Birthday Esko Rechardt, Finland, yachtsman, 1980 Olympics gold 1956 Event 60th Boston Marathon won by Antti Viskari of Finland in 2:14:14 1956 Event Urho Kekkonen appointed president of Finland 1956 Event Porkkala military base returned to Finland by U.S.S.R. 1954 Event 58th Boston Marathon won by Veikko Karvonen of Finland in 2:20:39 1954 Birthday Jouko Tormanen, born in Finland, 90m ski jumper, 1980 Olympics gold 1952 Event 15th Olympic games close in Helsinki Finland 1952 Event 15th modern Olympic games opens in Helsinki, Finland 1950 Event Urko Kekkonen elected president of Finland 1949 Birthday Juha Mieto, Finland, 15KM skier 1980 Olympics silver 1949 Birthday Lasse Viren, Finland, 5K/10K runner, Gold Medal 1972, 1976 Olympics 1949 Birthday Kalevi Aho, born in Forssa, Finland, composer, large-scale works, symphonies, vocal works, concertos, operas, including 'The Key', 'Insect Life' 1947 Event Province of Petsamo returned to Soviet Union by Finland 1946 Event Part of Petsamo province ceded by Soviet Union to Finland 1945 Birthday Matti Salminen, born in Turku, Finland, bass player, King Philipp-Don Carlos 1945 Event Finland declares war on nazi-Germany 1944 Event Finland and Russia agree to cease fire 1944 Event Finland breaks diplomatic contact with nazi-Germany 1944 Birthday Leif Segerstam, born in Vaasa, Finland, composer, chief conductor, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra 1995 - 2007, professor Sibelius Academy 1943 Birthday Tarja Halonen, born in Kallio, Finland, politician, lawyer, Social Democratic Party, first female President of Finland 1941 Event Finland enters WW II against Russia 1941 Event Finland declares war on Soviet Union 1940 Event Finland-Russian cease fire signed, Finland gives up Karelische 1940 Event Finland surrenders to Russia during WW II, gives Karelische Isthmus 1940 Event Soviet armies conquer Tuppura Island Finland 1940 Event Russia begins new offensive against Finland 1939 Event U.S.S.R. invades Finland, bombs Helsinki 1939 Event U.S.S.R. drops diplomatic relations with Finland 1938 Event 1940 Olympic site changed from Tokyo Japan to Helsinki Finland 1938 Event Finland awarded 1940 Olympic games after Japan withdraws 1937 Birthday Eero Mantyranta, Finland, nordic ski relay 1960 Olympics gold 1936 Birthday [Aino] Elina Salo, born in Sipoo, Finland, actress, Hamlet Goes Business 1935 Birthday Aulis Sallinen, born in Finland, composer, contemporary classical music, studied with Joonas Kokkonen, works commissioned by Kronos Quartet 1935 Birthday Martti Talvela, Hiitola Karelia Finland, operatic basso 1933 Birthday Jorn Donner, Helsinki Finland, director, Anna, Tenderness 1932 Event Failed coup attempt by fascist Lapua Movement in Finland 1932 Event U.S.S.R. and Finland stop non-attack treaty 1931 Birthday Taina Elg, born in Helsinki, Finland, actress, Hercules in, New York, Les Girls 1931 Event Extreme right wing Svinhufvud becomes president of Finland 1931 Birthday Rauno Makinen, Finland, Greco-Roman featherweight 1956 Olympics gold 1929 Birthday Pentti Siimes, Pentti Kalevi Siimes, Helsinki Finland 1928 Birthday Einojuhani Rautavaara, Helsinki Finland, composer, Kaivos 1927 Birthday Pentti Vihtori, Finland, writer/poet, Yksinaiset [Solitude] 1926 Birthday Martti Katajisto, Parkano Finland, actor, Mar Oksalla Ylimmaellae 1925 Birthday Veikko Hakulinen, Finland, 30K/50K cross country skier, Gold Medals 1952, 1956, 1960 Olympics, Silver Medals 1956, 1960 Olympics, Bronze Medal 1960 Olympics 1924 Birthday Siiri Rantanen, Finland, cross country skier 1956 Olympics gold 1923 Birthday Mauno Koivisto, president of Finland, 1982-94 1923 Birthday Hillevi Lagerstam, Kurikka Finland 1921 Birthday Maila Nurmi, Petsamo Finland, actress, Vampira 1920 Birthday Vaino Linna, born in Urjala, Finland, author, wrote Finnish books, Under the North Star translated into English by Richard Impola 1920 Event Part of Petsamo province ceded by Soviet Union to Finland 1920 Birthday Lydia Wideman, Finland, 10K cross country skier 1952 Olympics gold 1919 Event Finland adopts constitution 1919 Event Finland declares war on bolsheviks 1918 Event Germany claims Baltic states, Finland and Ukraine from Russia 1918 Event Finland and U.S.S.R. adopts New Style (Gregorian) calendar 1918 Event Last day of the Julian calendar in Finland 1917 Event Soviet regiment (Stalin/Lenin) declares Finland Independent 1917 Event Finland declares independence from Russia (National Day) 1917 Birthday George Gaynes, Helsinki Finland, actor, Henry-Punky Brewster 1914 Birthday Sylvi Saimo, Finland, 500m kayak 1952 Olympics gold 1910 Event Russia absorbs Finland 1909 Birthday Matti Jarvinen, Finland, javelin thrower 1932 Olympics gold 1908 Birthday Kristian Palusalu, born in Finland, heavyweight wrestler, 1936 Olympic gold 1908 Birthday Sulo Nurmela, Finland, 4 x 100K relay skier 1936 Olympics gold 1907 Birthday Heikki Savolainen, Finland, pommel horse gymnast 1948 Olympics gold 1907 Event Finland is 1st European country to give women the right to vote 1904 Death N I Bobrikov, Russian governor-general in Finland, dies 1902 Birthday Limari Salminen, Finland, 10K run 1936 Olympics gold 1900 Birthday Urho K Kekkonen, premier/president Finland, 1956-81 1898 Birthday Alvar Aalto, Finland, architect, Finlandia House 1897 Birthday Paavo Nurmi, born in Finland, 5K runner, Gold Medals 1920, 1924, 1928 Olympics 1893 Birthday Clas Thunberg, born in Finland, speed skater, Gold Medals 1924, 1928, Olympics 1888 Birthday Frans Sillanpaa, Finland, writer, Meek Heritage-Nobel 1939 1881 Birthday Vaino A. Tanner, premier of Finland, 1926-27 1878 Birthday Eino Leino, Finland, poet/playwright/novelist, Elaman Koreus 1873 Birthday Eliel Saarinen, Finland, architect, GM Tech Institute, Michigan 1870 Birthday Juho Kusti Paasikivi, president Finland 1869 Birthday Edvard Armas Jarnefelt, Vyborg Finland, composer, Berceuse 1867 Birthday Carl Gustaf baron Mannerheim, general/president of Finland, 1944-46 1865 Birthday Jean Sibelius, Tavastehus Finland, composer, Valse Triste, Finlandia 1865 Birthday Kaarlo Juho Stahlberg, 1st president of Finland, 1919-25 1857 Event Russian warship Leffort disappears in Finland Gulf in storm; 826 die 1844 Birthday Minna Canth, Finland, novelist/playwright, social evils 1834 Birthday Aleksis Kivi, Stenvall, Finland, writer/poet, Nummisuutarit 1811 Birthday Vissarion Belinsky, born in Sveaborg, Finland, Russian author, Literary Review 1806 Birthday J V Snellman, Finland, journalist/statesman/nationalist 1804 Birthday Johan Ludvig Runeberg, Finland, poet
