The years 1808 and 1809 mark important events in the history of the state of Finland: the Finnish War between Sweden and Russia began on 21 February 1808; the Diet of Finland assembled in the town of Porvoo on 28 March 1809; the Treaty of Hamina was signed on 17 September 1809; Finland obtained its own central administration on 2 October 1809; and the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland was established. These events took place against the international background of the Napoleonic Wars and the ensuing Treaty of Tilst of 1807 and the Treaty of Erfurt of 1808.
In the course of Finland’s history, Swedish and Russian rule interconnected in a way that still has an influence on Finnish society and that gradually laid the foundation for the establishment of a sovereign nation. An important period in this process is represented by the years 1808 and 1809 on which the theme and visual outlook of the bicentennial is based.
