| 1943- The year of change in Denmark |
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| Never in the history of mankind have so many chapters of heroism been written than during the period of World War II. One shining passage in this infamous story is that of the Danish Freedom Fighters. |
| Denmark was attacked by the Nazis without warning on April 9, 1940. The shocked populace were notified that resistance would mean horrible consequences for Denmark's people and country. |
| Beneath the surface of official complacency, people in Denmark soon went about the task of forming a resistance movement, and the Danish Freedom Fighters were born. At first, the movement was poorly organized and poorly equipped. In time, the Freedom Fighters, working secretively with the Allies, were able to gain the support needed to make an impact on the occupying forces. |
| The turning point in the resistance movement occurred 50 years ago. During 1943 the Freedom Fighters actions and the peoples resistance escalated, including a general peoples strike across the country, leading to the resignation of the Government and the second attack by the enemy on August 29th, wherein the Danish police and remaining military units were overpowered and imprisoned. This was followed by the rescue by the Freedom Fighters of the Jewish Community. Almost 8,000 people were taken into hiding and safely ferried to Sweden. Thanks to the miraculous rescue, only 464 Jews were captured and transported to Theresienstadt, and most of them survived the camp. |
| This unprecedented event of 1943 gave hope to the people of Denmark that they could beat back the oppressor. The success sparked an increase in resistance and the Freedom Fighters pushed on.
For the remainder of the war, the Danish Freedom Fighters participated in a tightly organized network. Acting as saboteurs, operating an illegal press and working in intelligence, courier and escape services, the Freedom Fighters performed magnificently, despite the constant danger. |
| While their efforts thwarted the occupiers, the cost was tragically high. More than 6,000 Freedom Fighters were arrested, tortured and sent to various prisons and concentration camps. Many of these gallant men and women died trying to keep Denmark free. |
| The Danish American Society and The Danish American Chamber of Commerce consider it an honor to pay tribute to some of the bravest people Denmark has ever known: the Danish Freedom Fighters. Tonight we are pleased to present the Danish Freedom Fighters with the 1993 Man of the Year Award. The Man of the Year Trophy will be placed permanently at the Freedom Fighters Museum in Copenhagen. |
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| King Christian X |
| Strong-willed, intrepid and eminently royal, King Christian X was a symbol and rallying point for the Danish people during the occupation.
Nearly 70 years old when the Nazis invaded Denmark, King Christian X remained a beacon of hope throughout the five-year occupation. Just two days after the invasion, King Christian X mounted his horse "Jubilee" and rode through the streets of Copenhagen to be with his beloved people. Ramrod straight and a vision of pride, he rode nearly every day, rain or shine. |
| Eventually, King Christian X was placed under house arrest in his palace, from where he continued
his role in supporting the Freedom Fighters. Since King Christian X was such an important symbol for the Danish people, many anecdotes circulated about him. Here's one such story: When the Germans demanded that the Danish flag be taken down from the palace the King assured them, T'11 have a Danish soldier raise it daily." And when the Germans said they would shoot the soldier, the King replied, "The soldier will be me." It is a testament to the bravery of the Danish Freedom Fighters that throughout the war, the flag continued to wave proudly. |
| King Christian X, who passed away in 1949, lived to see Denmark liberated in May, 1945. |
