Denmark Dates and Calendars

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Dates and Calendars

Online Resources

• Denmark Feast Day Calendars
• Calender for Aarene fra 601 til 2200 efter Christi Fødsel by R. W. Bauer FS Catalog book 948.9 H3b, also available online (See Bauers Calender for a guide on how to use the book)
  • Calendar 601-2200 AD loosely based on Calender for Aarene fra 601 til 2200 efter Christi Fødsel
• Genealogical Feast Day Calendars

Background

Pre-10th Century

• Runic Calendars: Early Danes used runic calendars, likely based on lunar cycles and agricultural seasons. These calendars were primarily used for religious rituals and festivals.
• Influence from Abroad: Contact with Roman and Christian Europe brought the Julian calendar, a solar calendar with 12 months. However, its adoption wasn't widespread initially.

Christianization and the Julian Calendar (10th-17th Centuries)

• Christian Conversion (10th Century): With the arrival of Christianity, the Julian calendar gained prominence, used for both religious and secular purposes.
• Feast Day Calendars: The church year, with its fixed and movable feast days, became another important timekeeping system. These calendars were regularly used in church records, and some church events (especially baptisms/christenings) were often recorded using feast days, such as "3 søndag før Påske" (the 3rd Sunday before Easter).
• Julian Calendar Discrepancy: Over time, the Julian calendar's slight inaccuracy caused dates to drift from the actual seasons. This discrepancy led to the need for reform. The Julian Calendar was used until 17 February 1700.

Adopting the Gregorian Calendar (18th Century)

• Adoption of the Gregorian Calendar (1700): Recognizing the need for a more accurate calendar, Denmark officially adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1700. To adjust, 10 days were simply omitted from February, and the Gregorian Calendar began in Denmark on 1 March 1700. Sunday, 18 February 1700, was followed by Monday, 1 March 1700.
• Challenges and Transition: Some more rural areas continued using the Julian calendar longer than others. However, the Gregorian calendar eventually became the standard for all of Denmark. Over the centuries, the calendar continued to evolve, with holidays and observances being added or removed. Today, Denmark uses a standardized version of the Gregorian calendar, similar to most of the world.