King Christian IX of Denmark - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 18° 20.472 W 064° 55.847
20Q E 295967 N 2029017
A bust of King Christian IX of Denmark is located in the center of Emancipation Park in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas.
Waymark Code: WMDZ59
Location: US Virgin Islands
Date Posted: 03/12/2012
Views: 12
The King of Denmark once ruled over the present United States Virgin Islands. In 1672, the Danish West India Company settled in Saint Thomas, in 1694, on Saint John and in 1733 Saint Croix was purchased from France. Together the three islands became Danish colonies in 1754 and were named the Danish West Indies. In 1916, the Danish West Indies were sold to the United States in accordance with the Treaty of the Danish West Indies and are now an organized, territory of the United States.
The largest park in the Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the USVI, is called Emancipation Park. It celebrates the fact that slavery was outlawed in the islands in 1848. In the middle of the park is a bust of the Danish King Christian IX. The King is wearing a military uniform bedecked with medals. The 2' high bronze bust rests on a 10' tall concrete column. The column has a large letter C with the Roman numerals IX within the letter and a crown above the letter. Below is the inscription in Danish:
FODT 8 APRIL 1818
KONGE 15 NOVEMBER 1863
DOD 29 JANUAR 1906
Christian IX was born on 8 April 1818 and died 29 January 1906. he ascended to the throne as King of Denmark on 16 November 1863. Before become king he was a prince of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, a junior branch of the House of Oldenburg which had ruled Denmark since 1448. He was not originally due to succeed to the Danish throne; but was selected as heir when it became apparent the senior line of House of Oldenburg was to become extinct. Christian was the first Danish king of the House of Glücksburg.
King Christian IX is known as "the father-in-law of Europe" because six of his children married into other royal houses. European monarchs who are descended from him include: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, King Albert II of Belgium, King Harald V of Norway, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Sofía of Spain, and Constantine II of Greece.
Monarch Ranking: King / Queen
Proper Title and Name of Monarch: King Christian IX
Country or Empire of Influence: Denmark
Website for additonal information: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:Waymark Visitor - Must either
- Provide a photo at the Statue
- Answer a related question, if available, as posted on the Waymark description to the satistfaction of the Owner