Denmark

By Ho Lam Yiu
  • 700

    Start of the viking age in Scandinavia

    Start of the viking age in Scandinavia
    During the 8th to the 10th century, the Scandinavian area was home to the vikings. The vikings raided, captured, and traded with many parts of Europe. During the viking age, the Danes were most active around the British Isles and Western Europe.
  • 900

    End of the viking age in Scandinavia

    End of the viking age in Scandinavia
    The viking age in Scandinavia ended in the 10th century.
  • 1013

    Conquering the Danelaw

    Conquering the Danelaw
    The Danes, under the leadership of King Sweyn Forkbeard conquered and settled parts of England, known as the Danelaw.
  • 1397

    The Kalmar Union

    The Kalmar Union
    In 1397 Denmark, with Norway and Sweden, united to form the Kalmar Union under Queen Margaret I.
  • Jun 17, 1523

    Norway's breakaway

    Norway's breakaway
    Sweden repeatedly tried to break away from the Kalmar Union. On 17 June 1523, Sweden conquered Stockholm and Sweden permanently broke away from the Kalmar Union. In the following years, the Kalmar Union would repeatedly try to retake Sweden.
    The new country was renamed Denmark-Norway.

  • The Kalmar War

    The Kalmar War
    To retake Sweden, Denmark-Norway attacked Sweden under King Christian IV. The war failed to retake Sweden, but Sweden was forced to pay 1 million silver riksdaler to Denmark-Norway for war reparations.

  • Dissolution of Denmark-Norway

    Dissolution of Denmark-Norway
    In 1814, the Treaty of Kiel dissolved Denmark-Norway. The Danish monarchy "irrevocably and forever" renounced claims to Norway. Denmark kept Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which were historically governed by Norway.

  • Independence of Iceland

    Independence of Iceland
    In 1944, Iceland gained independence and severed ties to Denmark.