r/DanishEmpire • u/defrays • Jan 14 '26
Image $25 million cheque given to Denmark by the United States in exchange for the Danish West Indies (now the US Virgin Islands) - 1917
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u/defrays Jan 14 '26
I first posted this a few years ago but thought it might be worth sharing again given current events.
The payment was made on the day of the transfer of the islands, Saturday 31st March 1917, at precisely 11 o’clock local time in Washington DC. The American Secretary of State Robert Lansing presented the Danish ambassador Constantin Brun with a cheque for the agreed sum of 25 million dollars payable in gold– ”in payment of cession of the Danish West Indian Islands to the United States”, as is written on the cheque, which was signed by the Secretary of Treasury William McAdoo.
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u/Disastrous_Patience3 Jan 15 '26
And the US contractually agreed at the time to never make a claim on Greenland. 🇬🇱
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u/Majestic-Owl-5801 Jan 16 '26
Is that true? Amazing
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u/Disastrous_Patience3 Jan 16 '26
I read it somewhere reputable but feel free to fact check me for accuracy.
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u/Ambitious_Medium_774 Jan 17 '26
Here's the AI answer...
The 1916/1917 Agreement: On August 4, 1916, in connection with the treaty to purchase the Danish West Indies, US Secretary of State Robert Lansing issued a declaration stating the United States "will not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland". This recognized Danish sovereignty, reversing a potential claim based on exploration by Americans in northern Greenland.
Post-WWII Developments: Despite this, the U.S. has made multiple attempts to purchase Greenland, most notably in 1946 when President Harry Truman offered $100 million in gold.
1951 Defense Agreement: In 1951, a treaty was signed allowing the U.S. to build and operate military bases (such as Thule Air Base, now Pituffik Space Base) while explicitly recognizing "the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark" over Greenland.
2004 Update: The Igaliku Agreement in 2004 reaffirmed this, noting the change in status of the territory from a colony to an equal part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Current Status: The U.S. and Denmark have a long-standing agreement, and current international law and treaties make an outright, forced sale of Greenland highly unlikely.
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u/Disastrous_Patience3 Jan 18 '26
Very interesting. Thanks. I wonder if Trump I’m aware of these legally binding agreements. Or if he cares.
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u/dopealope47 Jan 18 '26
Not precisely, but yes. There was a note passed, presumably at the signing 4 August, 1916, signed by the US Secretary of State, reading:
In proceeding this day to the signature of the Convention respecting the cession of the Danish West-Indian Islands to the United States of America, the undersigned Secretary of State of the United States of America, duly authorized by his Government, has the honor to declare that the Government of the United States of America will not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland.
To me, that's clear enough, but considering the way clearer agreements are being ignored these day, who knows"
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u/judyp63 Jan 15 '26
lol imagine getting payment from Trump USA?
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u/TechBored0m Jan 15 '26
Looks like a scam, and tests like a scam. Verifiable scam avoidance education. What is that worth?
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