The year 2017 marks significant centennials for American history. Widely known and commemorated is the centennial of the United States’ entry into World War I. Less known is the transfer of the Danish West Indies in U.S. possession, now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands. What led up to the transfer of that territory? How have the two nations cooperated in peace and conflict in the 100 years since? To explore the larger context of geo-political relations between Denmark and the United States, the Museum of Danish America is creating a temporary exhibition called Denmark — America’s Smallest and Biggest Ally. Within the story of over two centuries of bilateral relations, this exhibition will focus especially on three parts of Danish-American history that will be unfamiliar to most visitors: the transfer of the U.S. Virgin Islands; the U.S. military bases on Greenland, which is a Danish territory; and the 21^st century involvement of Denmark in U.S.-led coalitions in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other sites of present conflict.

Denmark is just one of the many nations that have been closely allied with the United States in recent conflicts, and – like many other allied nations – rarely gets media coverage of their participation. Even Americans of Danish descent are likely unaware of the important areas of cooperation over the past century. From stories of Danish Americans in U.S. armed forces to stories of current Danish active duty military and veterans, this exhibition seeks to raise awareness and interest in the many ways that two nations can relate to one another.

This exhibition is supported in part by a grant from Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Additional support is provided by:

• The Albert Ravenholt Fund in Seattle, Washington
• The T.G. Jensen Family in honor of all who served to protect America
• The Royal Danish Guard Society in Chicago, Illinois,
• Peter and Irma Ørum
• Ole and Eva Sindberg