Timeline of Greenland

Chronology

14 events spanning the history of Greenland. BCE/CE dating.

1. 982

   Eric the Red (Eiric Rauthornpi), father of Leif Ericson, discovered Greenland.

   Eric the Red (Eiric Rauthornpi), father of Leif Ericson, discovered Greenland.

2. 986

   Eric the Red and his followers began to settle Greenland.

   Eric the Red and his followers began to settle Greenland.

3. 986 – 1000

   Eric the Red and his followers began to settle Greenland.

   More settlers arrive from Scandinavia and they gradually settle the Southwest coast of Greenland from Cape Farewell to present-day Nuuk. The Norse population center around two major settlements, the Western and the Eastern.

4. 1000

   Eric the Red and his followers began to settle Greenland.

   Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red, returns to Greenland from Norway, bringing along the first Christian missionary. Soon hereafter, the first Christian church on the North American continent, Thjódhildur’s Church, is built at Brattahlid.

5. 1350 – 1360

   Eric the Red and his followers began to settle Greenland.

   Ivar Bardarsson, an Icelandic clerical official, reports the Western Settlement abandoned. Inuit begin to appear near the Norse areas, settling along the coastline.

6. 1600

   By this time all Norse settlements in Greenland have vanished.

   By this time all Norse settlements in Greenland have vanished. The only inhabitants are Inuit.

7. 1776

   Danish government assumes a full monopoly of trade with Greenland.

   Danish government assumes a full monopoly of trade with Greenland.

8. 1924

   Denmark took Greenland as Norway ended its claim.

   Denmark took Greenland as Norway ended its claim.

9. 1940

   WWII; The United States assumes protective custody over Greenland.

   Denmark is occupied by Germany during World War II. The United States assumes protective custody over Greenland for the duration of the war.

10. 1945

    Greenland returned to Denmark.

    Greenland returned to Denmark, but negotiations on the continued military use of the island by the US and its subsequent NATO allies are not concluded until 1951.