Samuel Salo

Samuel Vincent Salo (October 15, 1913 - January 18, 1986), also known informally as Sam Salo, was an Arolan politician and former military officer who served as the first President of Arola from 1958 to 1962.

Salo has became an influential and important historical figure in Arolan history, as he oversaw the rebuilding of Arola as an independent nation and helped to improve the country. He also led to the economic miracle of Arola, the building of the Arolan Freeway System (hence his nickname of " of the Nordics") and the improvement of the quality of living in Arola. Salo has become one of the most famous and best presidents in Arolan history, and has been the centerpiece of most Arolan developments today.

Early life and education
Samuel Vincent Salo was born on October 15, 1913 in Kelvia, British Arola (present day Arola) to a Finnish middle-class family. Salo grew up in a fairly cramped apartment in Kelvia, which he and his family hated but had no choice and had to keep it.

Salo only got education at the age of 8, mainly due to and his parents having to pay bills. Despite these setbacks, Salo managed to be the top student in his class and his teachers were greatly impressed. At the age of 16, he was deemed a child prodigy and attended the University of Kelvia after being persuaded by his teachers.

Pre-World War II
Salo went on to study law in the University of Kelvia in 1929. However, only after a year of attending the University, he was forced to stop his studies at the age of 19 due to the. Salo was devastated and became broke and had to live the rest of his life in a cardboard box. He miraculously survived by finding a bayonet in an alley and went to the Rivomaa Highlands daily to hunt for food before coming back to his box.

While hunting one day in the mid 1930s, he was spotted by the British army, who were at the same time looking for commanders. He was offered to join, and Salo reluctantly accepted. Salo eventually adapted to his life as a military officer, using techniques he learnt in class. He came up with good strategies to keep Arola protected, and the British gradually promoted him.

Post-World War II and rise to power
After World War II ended, Salo remained in the British Army until 1946, when he retired to continue his studies in law as it was his passion in the first place. Salo graduated from the in 1948 with a degree in law and started a political faction known as the Salo Gang along with many post-war Arolan politicians to push for the independence of Arola.

In 1954, the British government announced that it would withdraw troops from Arola due to tensions caused by the and allowed Arola to gain independence. The Salo Gang citied this as an opportunity and began laying the foundations of Arola's self-governance.

Presidency (1958-1962)
On 30th June 1958, the British sent their transport aircraft to carry the last troops in Arola out of the country. On the morning of July 1st, the last British aircraft departed RAF Korvola, officially handing over the entire Arola mainland to the self government. That same afternoon, Salo made his first speech at the Kelvia Central Station (now Kelvia Central intermodal hub), which officially proclaimed independence in Arola.