Memorial · Copenhagen

Genforeningssten

d. 1920

Photograph at the Genforeningssten Memorial
Photograph: AnonymousUnknown author, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

This stone commemorates the reunification of Northern Schleswig with Denmark, a significant historical event following a plebiscite on February 10, 1920. For fifty-five years, the Danish people in Southern Jutland maintained their Danish identity despite living under foreign rule. This memorial acknowledges their perseverance and the outcome of the referendum, which saw the Danish population in Northern Schleswig vote overwhelmingly to rejoin Denmark. Erected on November 20, 1920, the stone stands as a testament to a pivotal moment in Danish national history and the successful effort to reclaim territories with strong Danish cultural ties.

The memorial is a 'Genforeningssten', a type of memorial stone common across Denmark that marks the reunification of areas of Northern Schleswig with Denmark in 1920. These stones typically commemorate the successful outcome of the plebiscite held in the region following World War I. After decades under Prussian and then German rule, the Treaty of Versailles stipulated that the future of Schleswig would be decided by a series of plebiscites. The result of the Northern Zone's vote saw these territories return to Danish sovereignty, a moment of national celebration reflected in the many such stones placed throughout the country. This particular stone in Copenhagen forms part of this widespread commemorative tradition.

Situated in Copenhagen, this memorial can be found within an urban setting. Visitors will encounter a stone monument, typical of a 'Genforeningssten'. As a public memorial, access is generally open. When visiting, one should approach with respect, acknowledging the memorial's historical significance related to Denmark's national identity.

Inscription

“I fem og halvtredsindstyve aar havde det danske folk i Sønderjylland trods tvang i fremmed herredømme bevaret danske sindelag. Ved folkeafstemningen den 10. februar 1920 opnaaede danskerne i Nordslesvig flertal og forenedes atter med Danmark. Genforenings”
Transcribed from the Memorial at Copenhagen.

Background

I fem og halvtredsindstyve aar havde det danske folk i Sønderjylland trods tvang i fremmed herredømme bevaret danske sindelag. Ved folkeafstemningen den 10. februar 1920 opnaaede danskerne i Nordslesvig flertal og forenedes atter med Danmark. Genforenings

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Geographic data via OpenStreetMap.

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Data sources

Location records are drawn from open, licence-clean datasets, kept here with attribution and gratitude to the people who maintain them.

  • Open Plaques, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). See openplaques.org.
  • Wikidata, available under the CC0 1.0 Universal dedication.
  • © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
  • Historic England, National Heritage List for England, used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. War memorial records are drawn from open community datasets (OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, NHLE) - never from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is excluded.

Editorial descriptions, photography and tribute links are original TributeLegacy work, layered on top of the open data.

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