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The origin
of Denmark is lost in prehistory. Prior to being
populated by Scandinavians, Denmark was home to
Celts - as evidenced by the discovery of ritualistic
bog murders and burials. The oldest Danevirke
is from the 7th century, at the same time as the
new Runic alphabet.
Up into
the 11th century the Danes were known as Vikings,
together with Norwegians and Swedes, colonising,
raiding and trading in all parts of Europe. Many
archaeologists and historians believe that the
Viking even made it as far as America. They traveled
from Scandinavia to Iceland, then further to Greenland
and then finally America.
At various
times Denmark has ruled parts of England and Ireland,
Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and parts of
the Virgin Islands, Tranquebar in India, parts
of the Baltic coast and what is now northern Germany.
Scania, Blekinge and Halland were part of Denmark
for most of its early history, but were lost to
Sweden in 1658. The union with Norway was dissolved
in 1814, when Norway entered a new union with
Sweden (until 1905).
The Danish
liberal and national movement gained momentum
in the 1830s, and after the European revolutions
of 1848 Denmark became a constitutional monarchy
June 5, 1849.
After the
Second War of Schleswig (Danish: Slesvig) in 1864
Denmark was forced to cede Schleswig-Holstein
to Prussia, in a defeat that left deep marks in
the Danish national identity. After this point
Denmark adopted a policy of neutrality, following
which Denmark stayed neutral in World War I. Following
the defeat of Germany Denmark was offered by the
Versailles powers the return of Schleswig-Holstein.
Fearing German irridentism Denmark refused to
consider the return of Holstein and insisted on
a plebiscite concerning the return of Schleswig.
In 1920, following the plebiscite, Northern Schleswig
was recovered by Denmark.
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