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Get ready to make the switch and celebrate Transfer Day on March 31! This day commemorates an important event in American history – when the Danish West Indies were transferred from Denmark to the United States in 1917, becoming what is now known as the US Virgin Islands. The transfer was a significant moment for both countries and has since been celebrated with parades, cultural events, and more. So whether you're planning a trip to the beautiful islands or just want to learn more about their history, Transfer Day is a great opportunity to do so. Let's raise our flags and celebrate this special day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1666</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Danish West Indies Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>Denmark established colony in the Caribbean, which later became known as the Danish West Indies.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1848</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Emancipation of Slaves</div><div class='timeline-text'>Governor Peter von Scholten declared the emancipation of slaves in Danish West Indies.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1917</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Transfer Day Transaction</div><div class='timeline-text'>Denmark sold the Danish West Indies to the United States for 25 million dollars in gold.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1917</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>U.S Virgin Islands</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United States renamed the Danish West Indies to the U.S. Virgin Islands.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1932</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Formal Recognition of Transfer Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>Transfer Day was formally recognized as a holiday in the U.S. Virgin Islands on March 31st.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Centennial Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. Virgin Islands celebrated the 100th anniversary of Transfer Day.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Throw a transfer party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family and throw a party to celebrate your transfer! Decorate with transfer-related decorations, serve transfer-themed snacks and drinks, and have fun reminiscing about your journey so far.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a scrapbook of your transfer experience</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather photos, ticket stubs, and other mementos from your time at your previous school and create a scrapbook to commemorate your transfer experience. This will be a great way to look back on this important moment in your life.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Explore your new campus</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to explore your new campus and get familiar with all the different buildings, facilities, and resources available. You can also try out some of the campus dining options to get a feel for the food choices available to you.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a transfer orientation</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many schools offer transfer orientations to help new students acclimate to the campus and learn about the different resources available. Attend one and get to know other transfer students who are going through a similar experience.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Join a transfer student organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look for transfer student organizations on your new campus and join one! This will give you the opportunity to meet other transfer students and get involved in campus activities right away.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It commemorates an important event in history</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Transfer Day, also known as Virgin Islands Transfer Day, marks the day when the United States purchased the Danish West Indies (now US Virgin Islands) from Denmark. This purchase had a significant impact on both countries and is an important part of their shared history.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates cultural diversity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The US Virgin Islands are a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. Transfer Day serves as a celebration of this rich diversity and reminds us of the importance of embracing different cultures and traditions.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It showcases the resilience of a community</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>After being passed around between various colonial powers for centuries, the US Virgin Islands have managed to maintain their unique identity and thrive despite many challenges. Transfer Day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the strength and resilience of this community in overcoming adversity.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Formal Transfer Ceremony Took Place on St. Thomas</h3><p class='facts-content'>The official transfer ceremony occurred at the capital of the then Danish West Indies, Charlotte Amalie, located on St. Thomas island.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>W.I. not the Only Danish Colonies in History</h3><p class='facts-content'>While most known for the islands that became U.S. Virgin Islands, Denmark also held colonies in Africa and India but lost most by the early 19th Century.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Transfer Day Made Danish Nationals U.S. Citizens</h3><p class='facts-content'>After the transfer to U.S., all Danish citizens residing in the islands were granted U.S. citizenship, while Danish civil servants were given a one-year period to decide on their citizenship.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>US Virgin Islanders Hold Unique Political Status</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite being U.S. citizens, residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot vote in federal elections and the islands' representative in Congress has limited voting powers.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Purchase by the U.S. Was a Strategic Military Decision</h3><p class='facts-content'>The acquisition was largely in response to U.S. national security interests to maintain control over the Caribbean during World War I and to prevent Germany from establishing a submarine base in the islands.</p></div></div>
Transfer Day is celebrated on March 31 every year. In 2024 Transfer Day will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Mar 31
Friday
2024
Mar 31
Sunday
2025
Mar 31
Monday
2026
Mar 31
Tuesday
2027
Mar 31
Wednesday
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