History of Denmark in Timeline
Denmark is a Nordic country in Northern Europe and the most populous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which also includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland. It consists of the Jutland peninsula and 406 islands. Situated southwest of Sweden, south of Norway, and north of Germany, it is the southernmost Scandinavian country, bordered by the North Sea to the west and the Baltic Sea to the east.
1909: De Tretten Art Collective
In 1909, the De Tretten art collective was established in Denmark.
1912: De Tretten Art Collective ends
In 1912, the De Tretten art collective ended in Denmark.
1917: Sale of the Danish West Indies
In 1917, Denmark sold the Danish West Indies (now the US Virgin Islands) to the United States.
March 1920: Second Schleswig Plebiscite
In March 1920, the Second Schleswig Plebiscite took place.
July 1920: Northern Schleswig Recovered by Denmark
On July 10, 1920, Northern Schleswig was recovered by Denmark, adding inhabitants and area to the country.
1920: North Schleswig Becomes Danish Again
In 1920, North Schleswig rejoined Denmark, following plebiscites after World War I.
1924: First Social Democratic Government
In 1924, Denmark's first social democratic government took office.
1931: Death of Carl Nielsen
In 1931, Danish composer Carl Nielsen, known for his six symphonies and Wind Quintet, passed away.
1939: Nonaggression Pact with Nazi Germany
In 1939, Denmark signed a 10-year nonaggression pact with Nazi Germany.
April 1940: German Invasion of Denmark
In April 1940, Denmark's neutrality was violated by a rapid German invasion during World War II.
1943: Emergence of the Danish Resistance Movement
In 1943, a resistance movement emerged in Denmark during the German occupation in World War II.
1943: End of Cooperation with Germany
In 1943, the Danish government ended its cooperation with Germany, leading to the fall of the government and increased resistance.
1944: Iceland Declares Independence
In 1944, Iceland declared independence from Denmark during World War II.
May 1945: Liberation of Denmark
In May 1945, Denmark was liberated after the end of World War II, following German occupation.
May 1945: Germany Surrenders
In May 1945, Germany surrendered, ending World War II and the occupation of Denmark.
1945: Denmark expanded its industrial base and service sector
Since 1945 Denmark has greatly expanded its industrial base and service sector.
1948: Home Rule Granted to the Faroe Islands
In 1948, home rule was granted to the Faroe Islands.
1948: COBRA Art Collective
In 1948, the COBRA art collective was established in Denmark.
1948: Faroe Islands Gain Home Rule
In 1948, the Faroe Islands gained home rule, increasing their autonomy.
1949: Denmark Becomes a Founding Member of NATO
In 1949, Denmark became a founding member of NATO.
1950: Danish Rugby Union formation
The Danish Rugby Union dates back to 1950.
1951: Denmark joins FIBA
In 1951, Denmark joined the international governing body for basketball, FIBA.
1951: COBRA Art Collective ends
In 1951, the COBRA art collective ended in Denmark.
1953: Constitutional Change
In 1953, a constitutional change led to a single-chamber parliament, female accession to the throne, and Greenland becoming an integral part of Denmark.
1957: Denmark enters Eurovision
In 1957, Denmark first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.
1962: Women's handball team win silver
In 1962, the Denmark women's national handball team won a silver medal.
1963: Denmark wins Eurovision
In 1963, Denmark won the Eurovision Song Contest.
1967: Men's handball team win silver
In 1967, the Danish men's national handball team won a silver medal.
1969: Legalization of pornography
In 1969, Denmark was the first country to legalize pornography.
1970: Gourmet Cooking Introduction
Around 1970, chefs and restaurants across Denmark began introducing gourmet cooking, largely influenced by French cuisine.
1971: Establishment of Ministry of Environment
In 1971, Denmark established a Ministry of Environment.
1971: Roskilde Festival begins
Since 1971, the Roskilde Festival near Copenhagen has been the largest music festival in Northern Europe.
1973: Denmark Joins the European Economic Community
In 1973, Denmark joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union) following a public referendum.
1973: Implementation of Environmental Law
In 1973, Denmark was the first country in the world to implement an environmental law.
1973: Denmark Joins the European Union
In 1973, Denmark, along with Greenland but not the Faroe Islands, became a member of what is now the European Union.
1975: Highest Temperature Recorded
In 1975, the highest temperature recorded in Denmark was 36.4 °C (97.5 °F).
1979: Home Rule in Greenland
In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, marking a significant step towards self-governance.
1982: Lowest Temperature Recorded
In 1982, the lowest temperature recorded in Denmark was −31.2 °C (−24.2 °F).
1984: Euro Cup qualification
In 1984, Denmark qualified for the European Championships.
1986: Greenland Declines Membership of the EEC
In 1986, Greenland declined membership of the EEC because of fisheries policies.
1987: Gabriel Axel wins Oscar for Babette's Feast
In 1987, Gabriel Axel won an Oscar for the film "Babette's Feast".
1987: Establishment of the Danish Centre of Human Rights
In 1987, the Kingdom Parliament (Folketinget) established a national human rights institution, the Danish Centre of Human Rights.
1988: Bille August wins awards for Pelle the Conqueror
In 1988, Bille August won the Oscar, Palme d'Or, and Golden Globe for the film "Pelle the Conqueror".
1989: Legal recognition to same-sex unions
In 1989, Denmark became the first country worldwide to legally recognize same-sex unions through registered partnerships.
1989: Introduction of registered partnership laws
In 1989, Denmark was the first country to introduce "registered partnership" laws.
1992: Denmark wins Euro Cup
In 1992, Denmark won the European Championships.
1992: Rejection of the Maastricht Treaty
In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty, which involved further European integration, was rejected by the Danish people.
1993: Women's handball team win silver
In 1993, the Denmark women's national handball team won a silver medal.
1993: Acceptance of the Maastricht Treaty
In 1993, the Maastricht Treaty was accepted after a second referendum, which provided for opt-outs from policies.
1993: Superflex Art Collective
In 1993, the Superflex art collective was founded in Denmark.
1994: Women's handball team win gold
In 1994, the Denmark women's national handball team won a gold medal.
1994: Government initiatives
In 1994, the government of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen presented major plans to further integration and counter urban decay in vulnerable residential areas.
1995: Denmark wins Confederations Cup
In 1995, Denmark won the Confederations Cup.
1995: Women's handball team win bronze
In 1995, the Denmark women's national handball team won a bronze medal.
1996: Ratification of ILO-convention 169
In 1996, Denmark ratified to recognize the ILO-convention 169 on Indigenous people recommended by the UN.
1996: Women's handball team win gold
In 1996, the Denmark women's national handball team won two gold medals.
1997: Women's handball team win gold
In 1997, the Denmark women's national handball team won a gold medal.
1998: Denmark reaches the quarter-final of the World Cup
In 1998, Denmark reached the quarter-final of the World Cup.
1998: Women's handball team win silver
In 1998, the Denmark women's national handball team won a silver medal.
1999: NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
In 1999, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Denmark found a new role as a warring nation.
September 2000: Referendum rejects adopting the euro
In September 2000, a referendum in Denmark rejected adopting the euro.
2000: Denmark wins Eurovision
In 2000, Denmark won the Eurovision Song Contest.
2000: Rejection of the Euro
In 2000, the Danes rejected the euro as the national currency in a referendum.
2000: Women's handball team win gold
In 2000, the Denmark women's national handball team won a gold medal.
2000: Government initiatives
In 2000, the government of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen presented major plans to further integration and counter urban decay in vulnerable residential areas.
2000: Novozymes pioneers enzyme development
Since 2000, the Danish biotech company Novozymes has pioneered the development of enzymes for converting waste to cellulosic ethanol.
2001: War in Afghanistan
In 2001, during the War in Afghanistan, Denmark found a new role as a warring nation and has actively participated in the conflict.
2002: Men's handball team win bronze
In 2002, the Denmark men's national handball team won a bronze medal.
2003: Danish soldiers in Iraq
Between 2003 and 2007, there were approximately 450 Danish soldiers in Iraq.
2004: Denmark qualifies for Euro Cup
In 2004, Denmark qualified for the European Championships.
2004: Government initiatives
In 2004, the Anders Fogh Rasmussen I Cabinet presented major plans to further integration and counter urban decay in vulnerable residential areas.
2004: Women's handball team win gold
In 2004, the Denmark women's national handball team won a gold medal.
2005: Michael Rasmussen King of the Mountains
In 2005, Michael Rasmussen achieved King of the Mountains status in the Tour de France.
2006: Michael Rasmussen King of the Mountains
In 2006, Michael Rasmussen achieved King of the Mountains status in the Tour de France.
2006: Men's handball team win bronze
In 2006, the Denmark men's national handball team won a bronze medal.
January 2007: Creation of Regions
On January 1, 2007, the regions were created to replace the 16 former counties.
2007: Healthcare spending as percentage of GDP
As of 2007, Denmark spent 9.8% of its GDP on health care.
2007: Danish soldiers in Iraq
Between 2003 and 2007, there were approximately 450 Danish soldiers in Iraq.
2007: Native speakers of German
In 2007, Denmark had 25,900 native speakers of German, mostly in the South Jutland area.
2007: 2007 reforms
In 2007, densely populated municipalities like Copenhagen Municipality and Frederiksberg, previously with county-equivalent status, were incorporated into the new regions.
2007: Government attempt to favour environmentally friendly cars
In 2007, the Danish government attempted to favour environmentally friendly cars by slightly reducing taxes on high mileage vehicles.
2007: Men's handball team win bronze
In 2007, the Denmark men's national handball team won a bronze medal.
2008: Increase in the import of fuel inefficient old cars
In 2008, Denmark experienced an increase in the import of fuel inefficient old cars, as the cost for older cars—including taxes—kept them within the budget of many Danes.
2008: Men's handball team win gold
In 2008, the Danish men's national handball team won a gold medal.
2009: Poll on belief in Jesus
A poll carried out in 2009 found that 25% of Danes believe Jesus is the son of God, and 18% believe he is the saviour of the world.
2009: Crude oil production
In 2009, Denmark was producing 259,980 barrels of crude oil a day.
2009: Further Autonomy for Greenland
In 2009, Greenland gained further autonomy, expanding its self-governance within the Danish Realm.
2009: Greenland Awarded Self-Determination
In 2009, Greenland was awarded self-determination.
2009: Referendum on changing the Danish Act of Succession
In 2009, a referendum on changing the Danish Act of Succession were held to grant absolute primogeniture to the Danish throne.
2010: Eurobarometer poll on belief in God
According to a 2010 Eurobarometer poll, 28% of Danish nationals polled responded that they "believe there is a God".
2010: Use of the term "ghetto"
During the years 2010, the term "ghetto" was used officially to designate some or all of the vulnerable areas.
2010: National Ecological Footprint
In 2010, Denmark's national ecological footprint was 8.26 global hectares per person.
2010: Government initiatives
In 2010, the Lars Løkke Rasmussen I Cabinet presented major plans to further integration and counter urban decay in vulnerable residential areas.
2010: Opinion polls on adopting the euro
Since 2010, opinion polls have consistently shown a clear majority against adopting the euro in Denmark.
May 2011: Renewable energy contribution to GDP
In May 2011 Denmark derived 3.1% of its gross domestic product from renewable (clean) energy technology and energy efficiency.
2011: Average car age
As of 2011, the average car age in Denmark was 9.2 years.
2011: Men's handball team win silver
In 2011, the Danish men's national handball team won a silver medal.
June 2012: Presidency of the Council of the European Union
From January to June 2012, Denmark held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the most recent of seven occasions.
June 2012: New same-sex marriage law
In June 2012, specifically on the 7th, Denmark replaced the registered partnership law with a new law legalizing same-sex marriage, which then came into effect on June 15, 2012.
2012: Health Care spending as percentage of GDP
As of 2012, Denmark spent 11.2% of its GDP on health care.
2012: Gender-neutral marriage
In 2012, Denmark replaced its "registered partnership" laws with gender-neutral marriage, and allowed same-sex marriages to be performed in the Church of Denmark.
2012: Business simplification initiatives
In 2012, the Danish government launched a series of initiatives to simplify business rules, making it easier to run a business.
2012: Men's handball team win gold
In 2012, the Danish men's national handball team won a gold medal.
2012: Highest cancer rate
In a 2012 study, Denmark had the highest cancer rate of all countries listed by the World Cancer Research Fund International.
2013: Denmark wins Eurovision
In 2013, Denmark won the Eurovision Song Contest.
2013: Men's handball team win silver
In 2013, the Danish men's national handball team won a silver medal.
2013: Government initiatives
In 2013, the Helle Thorning-Schmidt I Cabinet presented major plans to further integration and counter urban decay in vulnerable residential areas.
2014: Men's handball team win silver
In 2014, the Danish men's national handball team won a silver medal.
2015: Wind power consumption
In 2015 wind turbines provided 42.1% of the total electricity consumption in Denmark.
2015: Denmark contributed 0.85% of its gross national income (GNI) to foreign aid
In 2015, Denmark contributed 0.85% of its gross national income (GNI) to foreign aid, meeting the UN target of 0.7% of GNI.
2015: Climate Change Performance Index
In 2015, Denmark topped the list of the Climate Change Performance Index.
2015: Tax structure
In 2015, the Danish tax system was characterized by higher revenues from taxes on personal income and a lower proportion of revenues from taxes on corporate income and gains and property taxes than in OECD generally.
January 2016: Transgender Identity Resolution
In January 2016, the Danish parliament implemented a resolution that prevented transgender identity from being classified as a mental health condition. This made Denmark the first country in Europe to go against the World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
April 2016: Greenland legalised same-sex marriage
In April 2016, Greenland legalized same-sex marriage.
2016: Net replacement rates for unemployed persons
According to OECD, initial as well as long-term net replacement rates for unemployed persons were 65% of previous net income in 2016.
2016: Men's handball team win gold
In 2016, the Danish men's national handball team won a gold medal.
2016: Public Opinion on Globalisation
In a 2016 poll, 57% of Danish respondents saw globalisation as an opportunity, while 18% viewed it as a threat.
2016: Empathy scores
In a 2016 study comparing empathy scores of 63 countries, Denmark ranked 4th world-wide having the highest empathy among surveyed European countries.
July 2017: Faroe Islands legalised same-sex marriage
In July 2017, the Faroe Islands legalized same-sex marriage.
2017: Gini coefficient for disposable income
According to Eurostat, Denmark's Gini coefficient for disposable income was the 7th-lowest among EU countries in 2017.
2017: Denmark's largest export partners
As of 2017, Denmark's largest export partners are Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
2017: Service sector contribution to GDP
By 2017 services contributed circa 75% of GDP, manufacturing about 15% and agriculture less than 2%.
2017: Employment Rate
In 2017, Denmark's employment rate was 74.2% for people aged 15–64-years.
2017: Overall level of taxation
In 2017, the overall level of taxation (sum of all taxes, as a percentage of GDP) in Denmark was 46%.
March 2018: Eurobarometer opinion poll
In March 2018, 29% of respondents from Denmark in a Eurobarometer opinion poll stated that they were in favour of the EMU and the euro, whereas 65% were against it.
June 2018: WHO standard regarding transgender identity
In June 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, which classified transgender identity as being a mental health issue, were changed.
July 2018: Net international investment position
By 1 July 2018, the net international investment position (or net foreign assets) of Denmark was equal to 64.6% of GDP.
2018: Energy Export
In 2018, Denmark exported roughly 460 million GJ of energy.
2018: Government records upper secondary school completion rates
In 2018, the Danish government recorded upper secondary school completion rates of 83% and tertiary enrollment and completion rates of 45%.
2018: Government initiatives
In 2018, the Lars Løkke Rasmussen III Cabinet presented major plans to further integration and counter urban decay in vulnerable residential areas.
2018: National Health Care Contribution
Until 2018 the health service is partly financed by a national health care contribution (sundhedsbidrag).
January 2019: Abolishment of Health Care Contribution
From 1 January 2019 the national health care contribution will be abolished, as it is being replaced by higher income tax instead.
January 2019: Phasing out of national health care contribution
From January 2019, the national health care contribution (sundhedsbidrag) was phased out in Denmark in favor of income taxes.
2019: Global Competitiveness Report
According to the World Economic Forum in its Global Competitiveness Report 2019, Denmark is the 10th most competitive economy in the world.
2019: Men's handball team win gold at World Championship
In 2019, the Danish men's national handball team won their first World Championship title.
December 2020: End of New Oil and Gas Licences
In December 2020, the Danish government stopped issuing new licences for oil and gas extraction.
2020: Population of Danish descent
According to 2020 figures from Statistics Denmark, 86.1% of the population in Denmark was of Danish descent.
2020: Planned operation of light rail systems in four largest cities
Around 2020, light rail systems were planned to be in operation in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg.
2021: Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance
In 2021, Denmark joined Costa Rica to launch the "Beyond Oil and Gas alliance" for stopping use fossil fuels.
2021: Construction of the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link Started
In 2021, construction started on the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link, which will connect Denmark and Germany with a second link.
2021: Government initiatives
In 2021, the Mette Frederiksen I Cabinet presented major plans to further integration and counter urban decay in vulnerable residential areas.
2021: Removal of the term "ghetto"
In 2021, the term "ghetto" was considered controversial and removed from official designation of vulnerable areas in Denmark. From 2021, four different lists are published, depending on the residents' income levels, employment status, education levels, criminal convictions and origin.
November 2022: Danish General Election
Following the Danish general election in November 2022, the Social Democratic leader Mette Frederiksen remained the incumbent prime minister.
December 2022: Formation of Frederiksen II Cabinet
In December 2022, incumbent prime minister Mette Frederiksen formed the Frederiksen II Cabinet, a coalition government.
2022: Poverty rate
As of 2022, 6.5% of the population was reported to live below the poverty line, when adjusted for taxes and transfers.
2022: Life expectancy in Denmark
As of 2022, Denmark had a life expectancy of 81.3 years at birth (79.5 for men, 83.2 for women).
2022: Denmark's GNI Ranking
In 2022, Denmark ranked 8th in the world in terms of gross national income (PPP) per capita and 10th in nominal GNI per capita.
2022: GDP per hour worked
In 2022, GDP per hour worked in Denmark was the 16th highest in the world.
November 2023: Eurobarometer opinion poll
In November 2023, 31% of respondents from Denmark in a Eurobarometer opinion poll stated that they were in favour of the EMU and the euro, whereas 63% were against it.
2023: Government focused into methods to increase taxes on energy dealers
In 2023, the Danish government focused into methods to increase taxes on energy dealers.
2023: Vulnerable residential areas
In 2023, there were 19 vulnerable residential areas in Denmark.
January 2024: King Frederik X Becomes Head of State
Since January 14, 2024, Hereditary monarch King Frederik X has been head of state.
2024: Global Peace Index
According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Denmark is the 8th most peaceful country in the world.
2024: Membership in the Church of Denmark
As of 2024, 71.2% of the population of Denmark were members of the Church of Denmark.
2024: Copenhagen Airport passenger count
In 2024, Copenhagen Airport handled almost 30 million passengers, making it Scandinavia's busiest passenger airport.
2024: Freedom House rating
In 2024, Freedom House rated Denmark as "free" with a score of 97 out of 100 in its Freedom in the World report.
2024: Freedom House report on religious freedom
In its 2024 Freedom in the World report, Freedom House rated Denmark 4 out of 4 for religious freedom.
May 2025: Denmark's Population
As of May 2025, Denmark's population is over 6 million, with approximately 40% residing in Zealand.
May 2025: Denmark's population reaches 6 million
In May 2025, the population of Denmark reached 6 million, as registered by Statistics Denmark.
June 2025: Elimination of Mailboxes
Since June 2025, approximately 1,500 mailboxes have been eliminated in Denmark.
November 2025: Danish Local Elections
The most recent Danish local elections were held on 18 November 2025.
December 2025: PostNord Danmark to cease paper letter delivery
After 31 December 2025, PostNord Danmark will cease all delivery of paper letter envelopes to encourage electronic mailing in Denmark.
2025: Global Innovation Index ranking
Denmark was ranked 9th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.
2025: US Hybrid Warfare in Greenland
Since 2025, the Danish territory of Greenland has been the target of US hybrid warfare under Donald Trump.
2026: PostNord Danmark workers unemployed
A third of employees working for PostNord Danmark or 1,500 workers will be unemployed in 2026.
January 2027: Merger of Capital Region and Region Zealand
On January 2027, the Capital Region and Region Zealand are scheduled to merge, forming the Region of Eastern Denmark.
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