This paper offers a historical overview regarding the nation state aspect of Norway because of its dramatic influence in curriculum making. The study examines aspects of the Norwegian national curriculum identity related to curriculum structure, to the underlying principles and consequent form those principles will take in the curriculum, and to the content of the curriculum in what students should know. These aspects are related to recent curriculum reform in Norway. The analysis is based on policy texts from the Royal Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs as well as on current debate. The description focuses to a degree on related tensions and paradoxes found within the social and educational structures. Sections of the paper include: (1) "Introduction"; (2)"Establishing a National Identity in Curriculum"; (3) "Curriculum Structure and National Identity"; (4) "Formation (Bildung) and the Celebration of Principle and of Both-And"; (5) "Personal Identity-Nation State Identity"; and (6) "Concluding Comments." A 22-item reference list concludes the paper. (EH)