Haakon VII of Norway was born on August 3, 1872, and became the first king of Norway after the country gained independence from Sweden in 1905. He was originally named Carl and was a Danish prince before accepting the Norwegian throne. His reign lasted until his death on September 21, 1957, and he is remembered for promoting national unity and democracy in Norway. During World War II, King Haakon VII became a symbol of resistance against Nazi Germany. He refused to abdicate when the Germans invaded Norway in 1940, which helped inspire the Norwegian people to resist occupation. His leadership during this challenging time solidified his legacy as a beloved monarch in Norwegian history.