History of Sweden: War, peace and progress

I have an abiding curiosity with the history of the lands that work their ways inland from the Mediterranean, Black and North Seas, as it affected the Swedish and Danish power and people. 

A curious, little-known fact from the recent history of Swedish society: They opted to no longer drive on the left-hand side of the road, as in Britain, and took to driving on the right-hand side, as in the USA. 

The change happened in 1967, and was recorded for history with photos such as the one below, showing drivers switching sides at the appropriate moment along a city street. 

On September 3, 1967, Sweden switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right. Photo: Leif Engberg/Scanpix

The history of Sweden involves much more. One essential fact about the Swedish Empire was that it was hard to sustain since the Swedes were an agrarian people. 

Learn more about this lesser known part of Europe by reading a brief history of Sweden (from which the above is expanded, "History of Sweden: War, peace and progress") at

 http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Facts/History-of-Sweden/ 

and all around the nation's self-titled Web site http://Sweden.se. 

- Jon 

Posted via email from Jon Osterholm :: WMBC :: posterous