Key Years in Danish History
Learn about the most important years in Danish history for the citizenship test. From the Viking Age to the present day — these are the dates you need to know.
Most-Tested Years
These 9 years appear most frequently on the citizenship test. Make sure you know them well.
All Key Years
Denmark Becomes Christian
Around the year 965, King Harald Bluetooth converted to Christianity and raised the Jelling Stone. This marks Denmark's transition from paganism to Christianity.
Learn more →The Kalmar Union
In 1397, the Kalmar Union was formed, uniting Denmark, Norway, and Sweden under one monarch. The union lasted until 1523.
Learn more →The Reformation
In 1536, the Reformation was carried out in Denmark. The Catholic Church was abolished, and the Lutheran Church became the state church.
Learn more →Absolutism Introduced
In 1660, absolutism was introduced in Denmark after national bankruptcy and war. The king gained nearly unlimited power, which lasted until 1849.
Learn more →Denmark Loses Norway
At the Treaty of Kiel in 1814, Denmark was forced to cede Norway to Sweden following the Napoleonic Wars. This was a national catastrophe.
Learn more →The First Danish Constitution
In 1849, Denmark's first Constitution was adopted on June 5. Absolutism was abolished and replaced by a constitutional monarchy with parliamentary government.
Learn more →The Loss of Schleswig-Holstein
In 1864, Denmark lost the Second Schleswig War to Prussia and Austria, losing the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg - about a third of its territory.
Learn more →Parliamentarism Introduced
In 1901, the 'system change' (Systemskiftet) took place, introducing parliamentarism. The government now required the support of the parliamentary majority.
Learn more →Women's Suffrage
The 1915 constitutional amendment gave women and servants the right to vote in parliamentary elections. It was a milestone for democracy and equality in Denmark.
Learn more →The Reunification
In 1920, Southern Jutland (North Schleswig) was reunited with Denmark after a referendum. The area had been German since the defeat in 1864.
Learn more →The German Occupation
On April 9, 1940, Denmark was occupied by Germany. The occupation lasted until May 5, 1945 and profoundly affected Danish society.
Learn more →The Resistance Grows
In 1943, the cooperation policy ended and the Danish resistance movement grew. In October, approximately 7,000 Danish Jews were rescued to Sweden.
Learn more →Liberation
On May 5, 1945, Denmark was liberated from German occupation. That same year, Denmark became a member of the United Nations.
Learn more →Denmark Joins NATO
In 1949, Denmark became a co-founder of NATO. This marked a break with the neutrality policy and a Western orientation during the Cold War.
Learn more →The New Constitution
The 1953 constitutional amendment abolished the Landsting (upper chamber), introduced female succession to the throne, and made Greenland part of the realm.
Learn more →Queen Margrethe II
In 1972, Margrethe II became Queen of Denmark after the death of Frederik IX. That same year, Danes voted yes to EEC membership.
Learn more →Denmark Joins the EEC
On January 1, 1973, Denmark became a member of the EEC (now EU) together with the United Kingdom and Ireland. The same year saw the Earthquake Election.
Learn more →No to Maastricht
In 1992, Danes voted no to the Maastricht Treaty in a referendum, leading to the Danish EU opt-outs. Denmark also won the European Football Championship.
Learn more →No to the Euro
In 2000, Danes voted no to adopting the euro in a referendum. Denmark kept the krone as its currency. The Oresund Bridge also opened.
Learn more →Frederik X Becomes King
On January 14, 2024, Queen Margrethe II abdicated and Crown Prince Frederik became King Frederik X of Denmark.
Learn more →