When did Christopher Columbus sight the Virgin Islands?
Christopher Columbus sighted the islands on his second voyage in 1493. He named them Santa Úrsula y las Once Mil Vírgenes after a legend about Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgins.
Questions about United States Virgin Islands
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who abolished slavery in the Virgin Islands and when did it happen?
Governor Peter von Scholten abolished slavery on the 3rd of July 1848. This event is now celebrated annually as Emancipation Day within the territory.
What date did the United States officially take possession of the Virgin Islands?
The United States officially took possession of the territory on the 31st of March 1917. The Treaty of the Danish West Indies was signed on the 4th of August 1916 before this transfer occurred.
Which hurricanes caused significant damage to the Virgin Islands between 1989 and 2017?
Hurricane Hugo struck the territory in 1989 causing catastrophic physical and economic damage especially on St. Croix. Hurricane Marilyn hit again in 1995 killing eight people and causing over $2 billion in damage while Category 5 Hurricane Irma devastated parts of St. John and St. Thomas in September 2017.
How much did Denmark sell the islands to the United States for?
Denmark sold the islands to the United States for $25 million in gold coin. A referendum approved the sale in Denmark during December 1916 after the treaty signing.