King 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 a member of the House of Glücksburg and played a significant role in establishing Norway's identity as a sovereign nation. His reign lasted until his death on September 21, 1957. During World War II, King Haakon VII became a symbol of resistance against Nazi Germany. He fled to London after the German invasion in 1940 and continued to support the Norwegian government-in-exile. His leadership and commitment to democracy earned him great respect among Norwegians.