500 Years Ago a Ship Arrived: How Greenland Became Part of Denmark, Explained by Trump

Nuuk/Copenhagen, January 10, 2026: U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced his intention to take control of Greenland, citing the need to prevent Russia and China from asserting influence over the Arctic island. During a meeting with American oil company executives, Trump argued that Greenland must be secured, “whether Denmark likes it or not,” and questioned the island’s centuries-old Danish sovereignty, referencing a ship that arrived there 500 years ago. But what exactly is the story behind Greenland’s annexation by Denmark?

Norse Settlers Arrived Over a Millennium Ago

The first humans set foot on Greenland 4,000–5,000 years ago, arriving from present-day Canada via northern passages. These early inhabitants, known as the Inuit, settled in the region long before the Norse explorers arrived. The first recorded Nordic presence occurred in the late 10th century when Erik the Red, a Norse Viking exiled from Iceland for murder, established settlements in southern Greenland.

The Disappearance of the Norse and the Danish Mission

The Norse population remained on the island for centuries but mysteriously disappeared around 1500 CE. Nearly two centuries later, in 1721, Norwegian missionary Hans Egede arrived in Greenland with a ship, supported by the Danish-Norwegian monarchy. Egede’s mission aimed to reconnect the inhabitants with Christianity following the Reformation. By this time, only the Inuit population remained, and Egede began converting them, marking the beginning of Greenland’s colonial era under Danish influence.

Greenland Becomes a Danish Colony

After Denmark and Norway separated in 1814, Greenland remained under Danish control. In 1916, the United States officially recognized Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland in exchange for purchasing the Danish West Indies. Although Norway claimed parts of Greenland, the League of Nations’ Permanent Court of International Justice rejected these claims in 1933.

Post-World War II Developments

Following World War II, pressures to end colonialism increased. In 1953, Greenland was formally incorporated into Denmark, gaining two seats in the Danish Parliament. In 1979, Greenland received home-rule, establishing its own local parliament and governance framework. A 2009 law further solidified Greenland’s self-determination, granting its people the authority to decide on full independence from Denmark.

Trump’s Controversial Take

Trump’s remarks drew attention to the island’s strategic importance and historical claims. He emphasized that Greenland’s location and resources make it vital to U.S. national security, arguing that prior Danish settlements or historical presence alone do not justify Danish sovereignty.