The Cross was awarded for merits in the battle for independence, and the first distribution ended in January 1919. The decorations of the knighthood were reintroduced on 8 December, 1939, after the beginning of the Winter War. Permanently the Knighthood of the Cross of Liberty was established on 16 December, 1940.
The decorations of the knighthood can be awarded in time of peace to those belonging to the defence forces for military merits and to civilians for their activities for the benefit of the defence forces. The classes of the knighthood are as follows: the Great Cross, the Crosses of Liberty of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes, and the 1st and 2nd class Medals of Liberty. Furthermore, the knighthood includes some special honorary decorations, the most famous of which is the Mannerheim Cross.
The awarding of the decorations was discontinued in 1960 and restarted in the 1990s.
Commander-in-Chief 1918 | Headquarters 1918
| Vaasa Senate | Hannes Ignatius
| Martin Wetzer | Harald Hjalmarson
| Ernst Linder | Gösta Theslöf | Jägers | St Petersburg Question | Relations with Germany | Cross of Liberty
| Eastern Karelia | Uusimaa Dragoon
Regiment | Fir Twig | Finnish Flag
| Swedish Brigade | Civil Guards | Jäger Conflict | Heikki Kekoni | Red Prisoners | Wilhelm Thesleff
| Aarne Sihvo | Rudolf Walden |
Air Force - Air Weapon | Red and White
Terrorism | Great Parade 16 May, 1918 | Åland Question | Monarchy | Mannerheim's Resignation
COURSE OF LIFE | FAMILY | TIME OF GROWTH | MILITARY CAREER | WAR OF INDEPENDENCE | REGENT 1918-1919 | CIVILIAN | DEFENCE COUNCIL | COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 1939-1946 | PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC 1944-1946 | RETIREMENT | SPECIAL TOPICS | SEARCH