Denmark: history

HISTORY OF DENMARK
flags of Island - Denmark - Greenland

Denmark is the oldest monarchy in the world. Our oldest know king is "Gorm den Gamle" (Gorm the Old). He lived about 900 - 940.

The Danes call their flag Dannebrog. They believe, that it is the oldest flag in the World.
They tell, that the flag came down from Heaven in 1219 in a battle between Estland and Denmark. The Flag was kept in the Doom of Slesvig, until the Doom burned in 1660.

Once - with the vikings in the years about 1000 to1200 - we were big - ruled over Norway - Sweden - England. We like to tell about it. Look at our song: "In Denmark I was born", writen by Hans Christian Andersen in 1850.

1.
In Denmark I was born, “tis where my home is,
From there my roots, and there my world extend.
You Danish tongue, as soft as Mother's voice is,
With you my heartbeats O so sweetly blend.
You windswept Danish strand,
Where ancient chieftain's barrow.
Stands close to apple orchard, hop and mallow,
|:'Tis you I love:|
- Denmark, my native land!

.............

3.
One day all Nordic lands were in your power
And England too - no longer your domains.
A tiny land, but in the world you tower
There ring the song and chisel of the Danes.
You windswept Danish strand!
The plougshare finds past treasure;
God bless your future too in golden measure!
|:T'is you I love:|
- Denmark, my native land!

..................

The hole song and the melody

Now we are a small country.

The Faroe Islands (Færøerne) with autonomous rule and Greenland (Grønland) with home rule are parts of the Danish Kingdom.

Denmark is a member of UN, NATO and the European Union (EU).

Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II has reighned since 1972. The Danish Queen is married to a Frenchman, Prince Henrik. They have two sons, Crown Prince Frederik, who on his 18th birthday in 1986, was elected to the state Council, and Prince Joachim, who is a year younger. Prince Joachim is married to Princess Alexandra. An important part of the royal couples duties are their official visits to other countries.
Our Queen understands that the main purpose of these visits is to create interest in Denmark, not at least to encourage trade and tourism.

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