On what date did Finland declare independence from Russia?

Finland declared independence from Russia on 6 December 1917.

Finland’s parliament adopted the declaration after the Russian Revolution weakened the authority of the Russian Provisional Government and created an opportunity for Finnish self-determination. The declaration was approved by the Senate led by Pehr Evind Svinhufvud.

Russia’s Bolshevik government recognized Finnish independence on 31 December 1917. Finland had been an autonomous grand duchy within the Russian Empire since 1809, when Sweden ceded the territory to Russia after the Finnish War.

The date 6 December is now celebrated as Finland’s Independence Day, a national holiday marked by official ceremonies, candle lighting, and the presidential reception traditionally known as the Independence Day reception. It is distinct from the date when Russia formally recognized the new state.