When we think of wars, we think of what happened during the events of World War II and the American Civil War. A common justification for such a big conflict is territory expansion, and the methods traditionally used to fight over lands are mostly through violence. However, there are some unique and quite interesting cases, and the “war” over Hans Island that has been disputed between Canada and Denmark is no exception.
What Is Hans Island
Chances are that you’ve never heard of Hans Island unless you’re Canadian or Danish. The island itself isn’t particularly noteworthy either. It sits in the middle of the Nares Strait, which is a 22-mile waterway separating Canada’s northernmost island, Ellesmere Island, and Greenland. It is uninhabited and devoid of any natural resources. The island is basically one big rock that sits between the territories of Canada and Denmark.
How The Conflict Started
The history of the island and its disputes can be traced all the way back to 1880. At the time, the island was lost in the transferring of arctic territories by the British as a result of the outdated mapping. The maps used were 16th-century old maps that did not include the island. This led to the island only being recognized in the years 1920-1923 through a Danish-led expedition dubbed as the “Celebration Expedition.” In it, the Northern region of Greenland was mapped, with a new map that included the island rock that we now know today as Hans Island.
In 1933, the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ) under the League of Nations granted Denmark the legal rights to Greenland. This allowed Denmark to claim Hans Island due to its vicinity to Greenland by extension of the ruling. Years later, the League of Nations was dissolved, so the resolution of the PCIJ was rendered invalid. As a result, Denmark had no more claim to the island.
In 1933, the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ) under the League of Nations granted Denmark the legal rights to Greenland. This allowed Denmark to claim Hans Island due to its vicinity to Greenland by extension of the ruling. Years later, the League of Nations was dissolved, so the resolution of the PCIJ was rendered invalid. As a result, Denmark had no more claim to the island.
By then, no one really put much of an effort to claim the island, as most countries focused on recovering from recessions as a result of World War II. The giant uninhabited rock was left alone in the following decades. It was only until 1973 that both the Danish and Canadian governments claimed the island by virtue of the Territorial sea (12-mile rule) under international law.
The Polite War
It all started in 1984 when Canadian troops visited the island to simply put a Canadian bottle of their finest home brew and their national flag. In response, the Danish Minister of Greenland, Tom Høyem, removed the Canadian flag and placed a Danish bottle instead. What might have begun as playful banter soon turned into an over 30-year “war.”
Around four years later, in 1988, the Danes would soon return and build a pile of stones called “cairn,” while also placing a flagpole for the Danish flag. In 2002, a Danish inspection ship visited Hans Island to replace the cairn, flagpole, and flag which was left in another 1995 Danish expedition. However, the Danes quickly noticed that all of these were destroyed. People speculate it could have been the weather that destroyed the cairn and the flag; however, some Danes also suspected it to be the Canadians.
Around four years later, in 1988, the Danes would soon return and build a pile of stones called “cairn,” while also placing a flagpole for the Danish flag. In 2002, a Danish inspection ship visited Hans Island to replace the cairn, flagpole, and flag which was left in another 1995 Danish expedition. However, the Danes quickly noticed that all of these were destroyed. People speculate it could have been the weather that destroyed the cairn and the flag; however, some Danes also suspected it to be the Canadians.
As the “war” escalated, the Canadians returned in 2005 to place an Inuit stone marker as well as the Canadian flag. They also replaced the Danish bottles with Canadian bottles once more. This led to lots of back and forth between the two countries until both agreed to resolve the issue in 2005.
Future of Hans Island
The back and forth between Canada and Denmark has to be one of the most friendly and hospitable disputes in our history. In recent years, we might see an end to this hilarious conflict. In 2018, both countries have announced a joint task force to settle this dispute.
Whether you’re team Canada or team Denmark, this story is a bright and fun highlight that’s one for the history books.