In 1907, the Norwegian statesman and man-of-letters Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson took the initiative in founding an organization in his homeland that was to encompass Norwegians wherever they might find themselves in the world. Those were dramatic times. Norway had just cut off the union with Sweden and elected its own king. Many Norwegians had emigrated, especially to America, and there was a strong desire by those who had stayed home to keep these emigrants in touch with their homeland. Nordmanns-Forbundet/Norwegians Worldwide has been serving as that link ever since.

The new organization, and its purpose of uniting friends of Norway throughout the world, had the immediate support of Norwegian women and men from all walks of life.

When Nordmanns-Forbundet/Norwegians Worldwide celebrated its 50th anniversary, H.M. King Olav V, father of Norway's present monarch, greeted us with these words:
"Nordmanns-Forbundet can look back with pride on its praiseworthy service for Norway. We all have directly or indirectly benefited by this work, and we are very grateful to the Federation and its staff for their efforts."

There is a steady need to convey information about Norway to the rest of the world, to nourish the ties Norway has with her citizens and descendants of Norwegians abroad, and to offer an appropriate base for cultural understanding.