Reykjavik, Iceland: Jon Sigurdsson Statue

Tourists stumble across this impressive statue across from Reykjavik's City Hall. They must assume he was a pretty important person.

Sure enough, Jon Sigurdsson Forseti qualifies.

Back in the 19th century, Sigurdsson was the unofficial leader of Iceland's independence movement. He helped the area win some concessions from Denmark. Sigurdsson was pretty moderate as these things go, attacking the project with reason and good sense.

As a result, his memory is well preserved to this day. He's on the 500-kroner bank note for that reason, and he's been on several stamps. Sigurdsson's birthday of June 17 was picked to celebrate Iceland's national holiday.

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