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International treaty recognizes Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard

The Svalbard Treaty (originally the Spitsbergen Treaty) recognises the sovereignty of Norway over the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, at the time called Spitsbergen.

The Svalbard Treaty (originally the Spitsbergen Treaty) recognises the sovereignty of Norway over the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, at the time called Spitsbergen. The exercise of sovereignty is, however, subject to certain stipulations, and not all Norwegian law applies. The treaty restricts military uses of the archipelago, but it is not demilitarized. The signatories were given equal rights to engage in commercial activities (mainly coal mining) on the islands. As of 2024, Norway and Russia make use of this right.

Uniquely, the archipelago is an entirely visa-free zone under the terms of the Svalbard Treaty.

The treaty was signed on 9 February 1920 and submitted for registration in the League of Nations Treaty Series on 21 October 1920.

Historical Significance

The Svalbard Treaty (originally the Spitsbergen Treaty) recognises the sovereignty of Norway over the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, at the time called Spitsbergen.

Events Before

  1. Battle of Jutland: British naval commander David Beatty is promoted to full admiral

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  2. J. D. Salinger is born

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  3. German Workers' Party forms, precursor to the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi)

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  4. The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, authorizing the prohibition of alcohol, is ratified by a majority of US state

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  5. German theoretical physicist Physicist Albert Einstein (39) divorces Serbian physicist and mathematician Mileva Marić (4

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Events After

  1. Republic of Turkey is declared from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire

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  2. Charlie Chaplin releases his first full-length feature, "The Kid," a silent film starring Charlie Chaplin and 6-year-old

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  3. Actor Jack Haley (22) weds Florence McFadden

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  4. Comedian Oliver Hardy (29) marries actress Myrtle Reeves (24)

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  5. French army captain, and future president, Charles de Gaulle (30) weds Yvonne Vendroux (20) in the Notre-Dame de Calais

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 9, 1920?
The Svalbard Treaty (originally the Spitsbergen Treaty) recognises the sovereignty of Norway over the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, at the time called Spitsbergen. The exercise of sovereignty is, however, subject to certain stipulations, and not all Norwegian law applies. The treaty restricts military uses of the archipelago, but it is not demilitarized.
Why is International treaty recognizes Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard significant?
The Svalbard Treaty (originally the Spitsbergen Treaty) recognises the sovereignty of Norway over the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, at the time called Spitsbergen.

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February 9 in HistoryYear 1920