The Secret History Behind Denmark's Flag

Denmark's flag, according to legend, fell from the sky.

The story goes that in 1219, during a crusade in what is now Estonia, King Valdemar II was close to losing the Battle of Lindanise when a red flag with a white cross dropped from the heavens — and the battle turned. Historians point out that no document from 1219 mentions it; the tale was first written down in the early 16th century.

What is certain is that the Dannebrog holds the Guinness record as the oldest national flag in continuous use, since 1625.

The date printed on every Denmark design in our catalog, June 5, 1849, is the day King Frederik VII signed Denmark's first constitution and gave up absolute power.

A legend from the sky, and a very real date from the ground.

See the Denmark Viking Legacy Tee → · Browse the Denmark collection → — or explore the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Story Cards page.