Memorial · Copenhagen

Befrielsessten

d. 1945

Photograph at the Befrielsessten Memorial
Photograph: Unknown authorUnknown author, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).

This stone memorial, erected by Hvidovre Municipality, commemorates a pivotal moment in Danish history. It serves as a permanent record of Denmark's liberation on 5 May 1945, marking the end of five years of foreign occupation. The memorial also stands as a tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during this challenging period. Its inscription ensures that future generations will remember the struggle and the hard-won freedom, anchoring this significant historical event within the community's collective memory.

The memorial originates from the immediate aftermath of the Second World War, a time when communities across Europe sought to process and remember the profound impact of the conflict. In Denmark, the period from 9 April 1940 to 5 May 1945 was defined by foreign rule, a challenging chapter that left a lasting mark on the national consciousness. Memorials such as this stone plaque are part of a widespread tradition of commemorating liberation and honouring those who resisted or fell during wartime, reflecting a shared desire to acknowledge sacrifice and celebrate renewed sovereignty.

The memorial is situated in Copenhagen, in an accessible urban setting. Visitors can easily locate this commemorative plaque within the city, allowing for quiet reflection. As a public memorial, it is viewable at any time, inviting individuals to consider the historical events it represents and to pay their respects to those it honours. Its presence in Copenhagen makes it an integral part of the city's historical landscape, prompting contemplation on courage and national resilience.

Inscription

“HVIDOVRE KOMMUNE SATTE DENNE STEN, SOM MED SIN INDSKRIFT SKAL MINDE EFTERTIDEN OM 5. MAJ 1945 DA DANMARK BEFRIEDES EFTER FREMMEDHERREDØMMET DER HAVDE VARET FRA 9. APRIL 1940 OG TILLIGE VÆRE EN TAKNEMMELIG HYLDEST TIL DEM, DER GAV LIVET FOR DANMARK”
Transcribed from the Memorial at Copenhagen.

Background

Befrielsessten

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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