United States 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. The name eventually shortened to just the Virgin Islands. This naming occurred during an era of intense European exploration across the Atlantic Ocean. Indigenous peoples like the Ciboney and Arawaks had inhabited these lands since at least 1000 BC. Later groups such as the Kalinago arrived around the mid-15th century AD. These early inhabitants left behind petroglyphs that remain visible today within what is now the Virgin Islands National Park.
The Danish West India Company established settlements on St. Thomas in 1672 and St. John in 1694. They later purchased St. Croix from France in 1733. By 1754, these territories became royal Danish colonies known as the Danish West Indian Islands. Enslaved Africans produced sugarcane which drove the economy throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. Other crops included cotton and indigo dye. In 1733, Akan-Akwamu slaves from the Gold Coast took over St. John for six months. More than a dozen ringleaders shot themselves rather than be recaptured by French forces. By 1775, enslaved people outnumbered Danish settlers by a ratio of eight to one. Governor Peter von Scholten abolished slavery on the 3rd of July 1848, an event now celebrated annually as Emancipation Day.
Denmark sold the islands to the United States for $25 million in gold coin. The Treaty of the Danish West Indies was signed on the 4th of August 1916. A referendum approved the sale in Denmark during December 1916. The final exchange of ratifications occurred on the 17th of January 1917. The United States officially took possession of the territory on the 31st of March 1917. Rear Admiral James H. Oliver served as the first American governor. Paul Martin Pearson became the first civilian governor appointed by Herbert Hoover. He was inaugurated on the 18th of March 1931. U.S. citizenship was granted to many inhabitants in 1927 and 1932. The Danish West Indian daler currency was replaced by the U.S. dollar in 1934. Transfer Day remains a recognized holiday commemorating this acquisition.
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. Category 5 Hurricane Irma devastated parts of St. John and St. Thomas in September 2017. Just two weeks later Category 5 Hurricane Maria ravaged all three islands. Sustained winds at the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge reached extreme levels with gusts even higher. Weather stations recorded significant rainfall amounts across the islands. Virgin Islands congresswoman Stacey Plaskett stated that 90% of buildings were damaged or destroyed after both storms. Thirteen thousand of those buildings lost their roofs entirely. The Luis Hospital suffered roof damage but remained operational despite the flooding.
Hess Oil began construction of an oil refinery in 1966. The Hovensa plant operated until February 2012 as one of the world's largest petroleum refineries. It contributed about 20% of the territory's GDP before ceasing operations. In the final year of full operations exported products totaled $12.7 billion for fiscal year 2011. The closure provoked a severe local economic crisis. Manufacturing employment dropped by 50% in May 2012 alone. The GDP fell by 13% mainly due to an 80% drop-off in exports. ArcLight Capital Partners acquired the complex in 2016. Limetree Bay Ventures now executes plans to refurbish and restart the facility. Tourism has since become the most important sector accounting for roughly 60% of GDP.
The United States Virgin Islands function as an organized unincorporated U.S. territory. Residents born on the islands are U.S. citizens yet cannot vote for president while residing there. They elect a delegate to Congress who can participate in debates but cannot cast floor votes. Stacey Plaskett currently serves as that House representative. Fifteen senators serve in the unicameral legislature with seven from each district plus one at-large senator. Territorial governors have been elected every four years since 1970. Previous governors were appointed directly by the U.S. president. A 1993 referendum on status attracted only 31.4% turnout so results favoring the status quo were voided. A March 2023 poll showed 63% support for statehood while 58% rejected independence.
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Common questions
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.
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.