| Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Protector |
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| Many Danes have contributed to world-wide entertainment, discoveries and the transformation of culture. Here are a few worthy characters of Danish descent. Tycho Brahe (1546-1601); a brilliant astronomer and scientist of his time, and has had a big significance on the development of astronomy, science in general, and our view of the world. www.nada.kth.se/~fred/tycho Hans Christian Ørsted (1777-1851); a physicist who discovered electron magnetism and aluminum. http://chem.ch.huji.ac.il/~eugeniik/history/oersted.htm Nikolaj Frederik Serverin (N.F.S.) Grundtvig (1783 - 1872); a poet, pastor and founder of what in Denmark is known as højskole (Folk high school). www.dihrs.dk/artDK1.htm Hans Christian Andersen (1805 - 1875); the writer and poet of novels, plays, fairytales and poems. www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855); a philosopher and writer. Kierkegaard is among other things known as “the father of existentialism.” http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kierkegaard Karen Blixen (1845 - 1962); a writer, who published her books under synonym names – e.g. Isak Dinesen. The life of Karen Blixen is depicted in the movie “Out of Africa” (1985) starring Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen and Robert Redford as Denys. www.karenblixen.com Carl August Nielsen (1865 - 1931); a composer, internationally Carl Nielsen is best known for his six symphonies. Of these the best known are Symphony n. 2, The Four Temperaments, and Symphony n. 4, The Inextinguishable. In Denmark most people know and sing his songs. www.classical.net/music/comp.lst/nielsen.html Niels Henrik David Bohr (1885 - 1965); a physicist, he received the Nobel Prize in physics in 1922 for his services in the investigation of the structure of atoms and of the radiation emanating from them. http://nobelprize.org/physics/laureates/1922/bohr-bio.html Victor Borge (1909 - 2000); a humorist and entertainer, who settled in the US after fleeing Denmark when it was occupied by the Nazis during World War II. www.obits.com/borgevictor.html Erik Mortensen (1926 -1998); a fashion designer who became world famous through working in Paris for many years. www.aidoh.dk/sculptures/clothingart/octopusdress/ukoctopus-press01.htm Bille August (1948 - ); a movie director who has received several awards for his work. Movies include: Pelle the Conqueror, The House of Spirits, Smilla’s Sense of Snow, Return to Sender. www.djangomusic.com/actor_bio.asp?pid=P+80185 Lars von Trier (1956 - ); a movie director. Lars von Trier has received recognition for his work through several awards. Movies: Breaking the Waves, Dogville, Manderlay. www.tribute.ca/DIRECTORS/BIOS/5167.htm Viggo Mortensen (1958 - ); an actor, and a son of Danish father and American mother. Movies include: Witness, 28 Days, Lord of the Rings, Hidalgo, A History of Violence. www.specialrealms.com/VM/index.html Morten Andersen (1960 - ); an NFL kicker that started his career in 1981 at Michigan College. www.yotor.org/wiki/en/mo/Morten%20Andersen.htm Lars Ullrich (1963 - ); the drummer of the heavy metal band Metallica. www.firstcoastnews.com/printfullstory.aspx?storyid=21173 Michael Laudrup (1964 - ); a retired professional soccer player who played on some of the top teams throughout Europe, Juventus in Italy and Barcelona in Spain. He is known as one of the most skillful and elegant players of the game and is still very popular among fans. He is currently coaching a Danish top team. http://home.versatel.nl/laudrup/index2.htm Connie Nielsen (1965 - ); an actress. Movies include: Gladiator, One Hour Photo, Basic, Return to Sender. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1807784294/bio Helena Christensen (1968 - ); a fashion model, working as one of the leading supermodels of the 1990's. www.helenachristensen.dk Brian Laudrup (1969 - ); a retired professional soccer player. He and his brother were named by Pele as two of the top 125 greatest living soccer players. Brian Laudrup played on several top teams in Europe, but unfortunately, he was forced to retire at age 31 due to an injury. www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/HallOfFame/0,,5~529606,00.html Cecilie Thomsen (1974 - ); a fashion model who starred in Tomorrow Never Dies as Inga Bergstrom. www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/bond-girls/cecilie-thomsen.php The Danish Royal Family; The Danish monarchy is one of the oldest monarchies in the world. The Danish monarchy can be traced back to the year 958, when Gorm the Old ruled. Today, it is Her Majesty Queen Margrethe who is representing Denmark. The Queen’s main tasks are to represent Denmark abroad and to be figurehead of the state. www.kongehuset.dk __________________________________________ PRINT PAGES OPEN IN A NEW WINDOW. The Danish Immigrant Museum 2212 Washington Street P. O. Box 470 Elk Horn, Iowa 51531-0470 Telephone 712.764.7001 Fax 712.764.7002 |
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