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Denmark

Denmark is one of those countries that has never known colonization, except during the Second World War when it was occupied by Nazi Germany. The Danes are one of the Vikings -- Nordic peoples who raided and settled other countries in western Europe and North America between 800 and 1100 AD.

In the 10th century, King Harold Bluetooth brought together all of Denmark and extended his rule to Norway. He brought Christianity to Denmark after his baptism in 960 AD. His son, Sweyn I conquered all England in 1013 and 1014. Sweyn was succeeded by Canute II who became king of England in 1016 and king of Denmark in 1018. A succession of monarchs ruled Denmark until 1849 when the country became a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature that shared power with the king.

In 1953 Denmark's constitution was revised with a unicameral parliament and female accession to the throne. The Dannish monarch today is Queen Margrethe II who succeeded to the throne in 1972 following the death of her father King Frederick IX.

Denmark celebrates as its National Day the birthday of its reigning monarch which in the case of Margarethe II falls on April 16.