History of Greenland in Timeline
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and the world's largest island, situated between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. Its capital is Nuuk. Along with the Faroe Islands, it represents one of two autonomous territories within the Kingdom of Denmark, with citizens holding full Danish citizenship and European Union citizenship due to Greenland's status as an Overseas Country and Territory. Kaffeklubben Island, off Greenland's northern coast, is recognized as the world's northernmost undisputed point of land.
1900: Greenland Warming Begins
Greenland started experiencing warming around 1900.
1900: First Complete Bible Translation
The first complete translation of the Bible into Greenlandic was finished in 1900.
1925: Governance Change
A 1925 law allowed Greenland's governors to take control under extreme circumstances, impacting governance during wartime.
July 1931: Norwegian Occupation
Norway occupied uninhabited eastern Greenland, claiming it as Erik the Red's Land in July 1931.
1933: International Court Ruling
In 1933, the Permanent Court of International Justice ruled against Norway's claim to eastern Greenland.
April 1940: Severed Connection with Denmark
Greenland's connection to Denmark was severed in April 1940 after Denmark's occupation by Nazi Germany.
1940: End of Isolation
Greenland's protected and isolated society began to change in 1940 due to wartime circumstances.
April 1941: US Occupation
The United States occupied Greenland in April 1941 to defend it against potential German invasion.
1942: Sirius Patrol and German Weather Stations
The Danish Sirius Patrol detected and alerted American troops to German weather stations in Greenland in 1942.
1945: End of US Occupation
The United States' occupation of Greenland ended in 1945.
1946: Recommendation for Patience
In 1946, a commission recommended no radical reform of Greenland's government system.
1946: US Offer to Purchase
The United States offered to buy Greenland from Denmark for $100 million in 1946, but Denmark refused.
1950: Jørgen Brønlund Fjord Loses Title of World's Northernmost Outpost
Until 1950, the radio station at Jørgen Brønlund Fjord held the distinction of being the world's northernmost permanent outpost.
1950: Thule Air Base Agreement
Denmark allowed the US to regain use of Thule Air Base in 1950.
1950: Modern Welfare State Proposal
A 1950 report recommended developing a modern welfare state in Greenland, modeled after Denmark.
1951: Study Suggests Greenland Composed of Three Islands
A 1951 survey led by Paul-Emile Victor proposed that under the ice sheet, Greenland consists of three large islands separated by narrow straits. This finding, however, remains disputed.
1951: Thule Air Base Expansion
Thule Air Base was significantly expanded between 1951 and 1953.
1953: Equal Part of Danish Kingdom
Greenland became an equal part of the Danish Kingdom in 1953.
1953: End of Colonial Status
Greenland's colonial status ended with the 1953 Danish constitution, and it became an amt (county) within the Danish realm.
1953: Integration into Denmark
In 1953, Greenland was fully integrated into the Danish state under the Constitution of Denmark, making Greenlanders citizens of Denmark.
1953: Thule Air Base Expansion
Thule Air Base was significantly expanded between 1951 and 1953.
1957: Denmark's Nuclear-Free Zone Policy
In 1957, Denmark established a nuclear-free zone policy.
1960: Project Iceworm Start
Project Iceworm, a US nuclear missile project in Greenland, operated from Camp Century from 1960 to 1966.
1966: Project Iceworm Abandonment
Project Iceworm, a US nuclear missile project in Greenland, was abandoned in 1966.
January 1968: B-52 Crash at Thule Air Base
In January 1968, a B-52 bomber carrying nuclear weapons crashed at Thule Air Base in Greenland, resulting in radioactive contamination.
1968: B-52 Crash
A nuclear-equipped B-52 crashed at Thule in 1968.
1972: Denmark's Entry into European Common Market
Denmark's entry into the European Common Market in 1972 led to considerations for a different status for Greenland.
1973: Greenlandic Orthography Revised
The orthography of Greenlandic was revised in 1973.
May 1979: Home Rule Implementation
The Home Rule Act came into effect on 1 May 1979, giving Greenland control over some internal policies.
1979: Home Rule Granted
Denmark granted home rule to Greenland in 1979 following a referendum.
1979: Home Rule Granted
Greenland was granted home rule in 1979.
1979: Rasmus Lyberth in Eurovision
Greenlandic folk singer Rasmus Lyberth participated in the Danish national final for the 1979 Eurovision Song Contest, singing in Greenlandic.
1979: Home Rule Established, Greenlandic and Danish Used in Public Affairs
Home rule was established in Greenland in 1979, and both Greenlandic and Danish were used in public affairs since.
1979: Home Rule Act
The Home Rule Act of 1979 granted Greenland limited autonomy.
1985: Greenland Leaves EEC
Greenland left the European Economic Community in 1985 after achieving self-rule.
1985: Greenland Leaves European Economic Community
In 1985, Greenland withdrew from the European Economic Community (EEC), while Denmark remained a member. Greenland maintains some ties with what later became the EU, primarily related to trade.
May 1989: Higher Education Regulations
In May 1989, regulations were established for university education and training programs for journalists, teachers, social workers, and social educators in Greenland.
1989: Summit Camp Established
Summit Camp, a year-round research station located on the Greenland ice sheet, was established in 1989.
May 1990: Nursing Education Regulation
Regulations for the training of nurses and nursing assistants were established in May 1990 in Greenland.
October 1990: Regulation on Primary and Lower Secondary Education
Regulation No. 10 on primary and lower secondary education was issued in October 1990.
1990: Foreign-Trade Deficit
Greenland began experiencing a foreign-trade deficit in 1990 after the closure of its last lead and zinc mine.
December 1991: Record Low Temperature
On December 22, 1991, the Northern Hemisphere's lowest recorded temperature of -69.6 °C (-93.3 °F) was documented near the summit of the Greenland Ice Sheet.
1991: Greenland Takes Control of Healthcare
Greenland assumed control of its healthcare system in 1991, but the practice of non-consensual IUD insertion continued.
1992: EEC Becomes the European Union
In 1992, the European Economic Community (EEC) transitioned into the European Union (EU), expanding its scope and membership. This transition further defined Greenland's relationship with the EU.
May 1993: Amendment to Education Regulation
Regulation No. 8 amended the education regulation in May 1993.
October 1993: Regulation on Vocational and Technical Education
In October 1993, Regulation No. 16 was enacted to govern vocational and technical education, scholarships, and career guidance in Greenland. Danish remained the primary language of instruction.
1993: Economic Recovery Begins
Greenland's economy began to recover in 1993 after a period of contraction.
March 1994: Linguistic Integration in Schools
Linguistic integration in primary and lower secondary schools became compulsory starting in March 1994.
1995: Political Scandal over Nuclear Weapons
A political scandal erupted in Denmark in 1995 after it was revealed the government had allowed the U.S. to store nuclear weapons in Greenland, violating Denmark's nuclear-free zone policy.
1996: Greenland Ice Sheet Begins Consistent Mass Loss
After 1996, Greenland's ice sheet began to consistently lose mass every year.
1996: Project Iceworm Declassification
Documents about Project Iceworm, a secret US nuclear missile project in Greenland, were declassified in 1996.
June 1997: Greenlandic as Language of Instruction in Schools
A government ordinance in June 1997 mandated Greenlandic as the language of instruction in public schools.
1997: Danish Government Discovery
The Danish government learned about Project Iceworm in 1997.
2000: Modern Bible Translation
A revised translation of the Bible using modern Greenlandic orthography was completed in 2000.
2001: Handball Ranking
Greenland's men's national handball team achieved a top-20 global ranking in 2001.
August 2002: Nanoq Media Launch
Nanoq Media, Greenland's largest local television station, launched in Nuuk on August 1, 2002, reaching approximately 75% of households in the capital.
2002: Shrinking Glacier Discovered
In 2002, a shrinking glacier, later revealed to be covering Warming Island, was discovered off the coast of Greenland.
2003: Discovery of a Small Island
In 2003, arctic explorer Dennis Schmitt and his team discovered a small island measuring 35m x 15m. Its status as a permanent landmass remained unconfirmed at the time, but if verified, it could be the Earth's northernmost permanent land.
2007: Warming Island Emerges
In 2007, the emergence of a new island named Uunartoq Qeqertaq (Warming Island) was announced. Previously hidden beneath a glacier, the island became exposed due to the glacier's rapid melting. This event led to it being named "Place of the Year" by the Oxford Atlas of the World.
2007: Ruby Mining and Mineral Exploration
Ruby mining began in Greenland in 2007, and exploration of other minerals increased due to rising prices.
November 2008: Referendum on Greater Autonomy
Greenland voted for greater autonomy in a referendum on 25 November 2008.
2008: Referendum Supports Increased Self-Governance
A non-binding referendum held in 2008 showed strong support for increased self-governance and autonomy for Greenland, with 76.22% voting in favor.
2008: Self-Government Act
Greenlanders voted for the Self-Government Act in 2008, transferring more power from the Danish government to the local Greenlandic government.
June 2009: Greenland Gains Self-Rule
In June 2009, Greenland achieved self-governance, gaining control over judicial affairs, policing, and natural resources. Greenlanders were recognized as a distinct people under international law. Denmark retained control of foreign affairs and defense, while continuing its financial support.
2009: Fishing Industry Dominates Greenland's Economy
As of 2009, the fishing industry was identified as the cornerstone of Greenland's economy, responsible for the majority of the territory's exports.
2009: Greenlandic Becomes Sole Official Language
Greenlandic became the sole official language of Greenland in 2009.
2009: Administrative Divisions Reorganized
In 2009, Greenland abolished its counties and municipalities and established new, larger municipalities.
2009: Political Landscape Dominated by Pro-Independence Parties
In 2009, Greenland's political scene was primarily shaped by the social-democratic Forward Party and the democratic socialist Inuit Community Party, both advocating for greater independence from Denmark.
2010: High Suicide and Alcoholism Rates
A 2010 census revealed that Greenland had the highest suicide rate globally and a significant problem with alcoholism.
2010: Religion in Greenland
Data on religious affiliation in Greenland was collected in 2010.
2012: Greenland Ice Melt Contributes to Sea Level Rise
Between 2012 and 2017, the melting of Greenland's ice sheet added an average of 0.68 mm per year to global sea level rise, accounting for 37% of the increase from land ice sources (excluding thermal expansion).
2012: Massive Melting Event
In 2012, a "massive melting event" occurred in Greenland, marked by the melting of nearly the entire surface of the ice sheet and no ice accumulation.
2013: Consolidation of Power by Main Parties
The 2013 election in Greenland strengthened the position of the Forward and Inuit Community parties, diminishing the influence of smaller political groups and introducing the eco-socialist Inuit Party to Parliament.
2013: EU Urges Restrictions on Chinese Rare-Earth Projects
In 2013, the European Union urged Greenland to restrict Chinese development of rare-earth mineral projects but Greenland declined.
2014: Shift in Political Dominance
Following the snap elections in 2014, the dominance of the Forward and Inuit Community parties started to decline in Greenland's political landscape.
2015: Genetic Study of Greenlanders
A 2015 genetic study confirmed modern Inuit in Greenland are descendants of the Thule culture, with some European admixture.
2015: Tourism Growth Begins
Between 2015 and 2019, Greenland's tourism sector experienced significant growth, with visitor numbers rising substantially.
2017: Report on Greenland Ice Melt's Impact on Sea Level
A report from 2017 indicated a significant contribution to global sea level rise due to Greenland's ongoing ice melt, with different temperature scenarios correlating with varying future sea levels.
2017: Unemployment Rates
In 2017, the unemployment rate in Greenland was 6.8%, higher than Denmark's 5.6%.
2017: New Ruby Deposits Discovered
New ruby deposits were discovered in Greenland in 2017.
2018: Qaasuitsup Municipality Partitioned
In 2018, Qaasuitsup Municipality was divided to create the Avannaata and Qeqertalik municipalities.
2018: Further Shift in Political Power
The 2018 snap election in Greenland contributed to a further weakening of the Forward and Inuit Community parties' hold on power.
August 2019: US Offer to Purchase
In August 2019, the US offered to buy Greenland, but the offer was rejected.
2019: Massive Melting Event
A second "massive melting event" hit Greenland in 2019, similar to the one in 2012.
2019: Tourism Peaks
In 2019, Greenland's tourism industry reached a high point, generating estimated revenues of around $67 million.
2020: Tourism Decline Due to Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Greenland's tourism sector in 2020, causing a dramatic slowdown due to travel restrictions.
July 2021: Ban on Oil and Gas Exploration
In July 2021, Greenland banned all new oil and gas exploration, citing environmental concerns.
September 2021: Kangerlussuaq-Sisimiut Road Completed
The Kangerlussuaq-Sisimiut road itself was completed in September 2021
2021: Greenland Population
In 2021, Greenland had a population of 56,421, with 18,800 residing in Nuuk.
2021: Massive Melting Event and First Recorded Rainfall at Summit
In 2021, another "massive melting event" struck Greenland, accompanied by the first recorded rainfall at the ice sheet's summit.
2021: Tourism Sector Still Slowed by the Pandemic
Tourism in Greenland remained impacted by travel restrictions in 2021 as the COVID-19 pandemic continued.
September 2022: Investigation into IUD Procedures
In September 2022, an investigation was launched to examine the practice of fitting Inuit women and girls with IUDs without consent, a practice that began in the 1960s and extended even after Greenland took over its healthcare system in 1991.
2022: Population and Energy
As of 2022, Greenland's population was 56,583, making it the least densely populated region globally. Sixty-seven percent of its electricity came from renewable sources, primarily hydropower.
June 2023: Kangerlussuaq-Sisimiut Road Nearing Completion
As of June 2023, a road between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut was nearing completion, though facing delays.
2024: Kangerlussuaq Airport Loses Main International Gateway Status
Kangerlussuaq Airport ceased being Greenland's main international gateway in 2024.
2024: Scheduled Completion of the Kangerlussuaq-Sisimiut Road
The Kangerlussuaq-Sisimiut road was scheduled for final completion in 2024.
2026: Ilulissat Airport Expansion
Ilulissat Airport was undergoing expansion to accommodate larger aircraft by 2026.