I want to begin this article by offering my condolences to the Norwegian people on their loss. King Harald V of Norway passed away on August 28, 2026, at the age of 89. He reigned for 35 years. At the time of his death, he was the oldest reigning European monarch. He was also the first-born Norwegian king to be born in Norway since 1370. Remember that Denmark and Sweden had ruled Norway for centuries. Harald’s father, King Olav V, was born in England. His grandfather, King Håkon VII, was born...

I want to begin this article by offering my condolences to the Norwegian people on their loss. King Harald V of Norway passed away on August 28, 2026, at the age of 89. He reigned for 35 years. At the time of his death, he was the oldest reigning European monarch. He was also the first-born Norwegian king to be born in Norway since 1370. Remember that Denmark and Sweden had ruled Norway for centuries. Harald’s father, King Olav V, was born in England. His grandfather, King Håkon VII, was born...

This year we have been celebrating our nation’s 250th anniversary. Nothing has been more challenging for our democracy than dealing with the immigration issue. I have written a number of specific challenges that Norwegian Americans faced with their immigration. One hundred years ago, Norwegians faced discrimination here because of the large number of immigrants coming to America. At one point, it was illegal to speak Norwegian in public in Minnesota, and they tried to do it in Iowa, too. So,...