Timeline: Denmark

A chronology of key events:

10th century - Kingdom of Denmark unified and Christianity introduced.

Copenhagen occupies the islands of Zealand, Amager 1445: Became capital of Denmark Population (metro): 1.3 million

1397 - Union of Kalmar unites Denmark, Sweden and Norway under a single monarch. Denmark is the dominant power.

1729 - Greenland becomes Danish province.

1814 - Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden.

1849 - Denmark becomes constitutional monarchy; two-chamber parliament established.

The modern period

1914-18 - Denmark is neutral during World War I.

1918 - Universal suffrage comes into effect.

Copenhagen's Little Mermaid draws tourists - and vandals 2006: Denmark may move Little Mermaid 2003: Unexpected swim 1998: Feminists claim responsibility for statue attack

1930s - Welfare state established by governments dominated by social democrats.

1939 - Denmark signs 10-year non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany.

1940 - Nazi invasion meets virtually no initial resistance. Government accepts occupation in exchange for measure of control over domestic affairs.

1943 - A determined campaign by the Danish resistance prompts Germany to take over full control of Danish affairs. Thousands of Danish Jews manage to escape to Sweden.

1945 - Germany surrenders and occupation ends. Denmark recognises Iceland's independence, which had been declared in 1944.

Postwar recovery

1948 - Faroe Islands granted self-government within the Danish state.

1949 - Denmark joins Nato.

Oresund Link: A system of bridges and tunnels connecting Denmark and Sweden Construction started in 1995 Project cost $2.4 billion 2000: Scandinavia bridges age-old gap

1952 - Denmark becomes founder member of Nordic Council.

1953 - Constitutional change leads to a single-chamber parliament elected by proportional representation; female accession to the Danish throne is permitted; Greenland becomes integral part of Denmark.

1959 - Denmark joins European Free Trade Association.

1972 - King Frederick IX dies and is succeeded by his daughter Margrethe II.

European integration

1973 - Denmark joins the European Economic Community.

1979 - Greenland is granted home rule. Denmark retains control over Greenland's foreign affairs and defence.

1982 - Poul Schlueter becomes first Conservative prime minister for almost a century.

Queen Margrethe, known as "Daisy", keeps a low profile 2004: Danish prince marries Australian

1985 - Legislation passed banning construction of nuclear power plants in Denmark.

1992 - Danish voters reject the Maastricht Treaty on further European integration in a referendum.

1993 - Schlueter resigns after being accused of lying over a scandal involving Tamil refugees; social democrat Poul Nyrup Rasmussen becomes prime minister.

Danes approve the Maastricht Treaty after Denmark is granted certain opt-outs.

1994 - Poul Nyrup Rasmussen returned to power in general election.

1998 - Poul Nyrup Rasmussen again returned to power.

2000 - Danes reject adoption of the euro as their national currency by 53% to 47%.

New bridge and tunnel link Copenhagen with Malmo in southern Sweden. The new road and rail link makes it possible to travel between the two countries in just 15 minutes.

Rasmussen elected

2001 November - Elections put right-wing coalition led by Anders Fogh Rasmussen into government. Rasmussen campaigned on a pledge to tighten immigration rules and put lid on taxes. The election saw the far-right Danish People's Party win 22 seats and become the third largest party in parliament.

Cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammed sparked violence Denmark row: The power of cartoons

2002 February - New government measures aimed at reducing immigration spark controversy.

2004 August - US and Denmark sign deal to modernise Thule air base on Greenland.

2005 February - Liberal Party leader Anders Fogh Rasmussen wins second term as prime minister in coalition with Conservative Party. Far-right People's Party strengthens presence in parliament by two seats.

2005 July - Diplomatic dispute flares up with Canada over the disputed tiny island of Hans in the Arctic.

2006 January - February - Cartoon depictions of the Prophet Muhammed, published by a Danish newspaper in 2005, spark mass protests among Muslims in a number of countries, as well as unofficial boycotts of Danish goods.

2007 February - Government says Denmark's 470 ground troops will leave Iraq by the end of August. Denmark was one of the original coalition countries to take part in the 2003 invasion.

2007 November - Government of Prime Minister Fogh Rasmussen wins third term after early elections.

2008 February - Police uncover a plot to kill one of the cartoonists whose depictions of the Prophet Muhammed sparked outrage across the Muslim world in 2005. Major papers reprint one of the cartoons, prompting some protests.

2008 November - Greeland referendum approves plans to seek more autonomy from Denmark and a greater share of oil revenues off the island's coast.

2009 April - Finance Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen takes over as prime minister and acting Liberal Party leader on the resignation of Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who had been elected NATO secretary-general.

2009 July - Denmark plans to set up an Arctic military command and task force because the melting ice cap is opening access to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.