h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am from the southern part of Denmark known as Sønderjylland (Northern Slesvig). To people in this area this is an important date.

From the time of the vikings the south border has moved many times and many battles have been fought over it. In the first part of 19th century the king of Denmark also ruled the two provinces Holstein and Slesvig (today northern Germany and Sønderjylland). In 1848 the Danes won a war against the Germans but in 1864 they lost completely. A lot of Denmark was occupied. When peace was negociated both provinces were transfered to German government. However they left a note in the peace treaty promising to let the population in the affected areas vote on the issue some day - no date set. This ment that now the border was situated half way up in Jylland (Jutland) - a fair bit further to the north than today. The two provinces had always been a border area meaning that there was a mix of people with Danish and German language and culture. Closest to Denmark the majority spoke Danish and in the areas closest to Germany German was the prefered language. After 1864 German became the language of schools and government of every kind. Naturally not everybody was happy with this arrangement. After World War I the Danish government demanded that the vote promised in the peace treaty was held and this happened finally on the 10th of february 1920. An international comitee was made to draw the final border between Denmark and Germany according to how the vote went. There was even a Japanese member. The border as it is today is a direct result of the vote held in 1920. It is not disputed by anyone. There is of course a minority on both sides of the border but there are no hostility. A lot of people have family on the other side of the border.
The date is still celebrated - at least in the area I come from - and I think it is good to remember it because it symbolizes the end of centuries of battles and disputes over the area and this was achieved through democratic means. It is a sunlit part of history.

This is of course only a resume of what happened.

Cissdur

I have to correct myself. I was absolutely certain about the war in 1848 but since I have not been able to confirm this with my history book I have to assume I remember it wrong. Probably it was a battle. However the rest should be correct.

Cissdur

Nice contribution, Cissdur!
I completely agree with you: This is a sunlit moment to remember!

I have been searching for this conversation, because I wanted to know whether it was Ottox, who posted it. Do you know him?

Bye,

HP
»--.

Thanks.

I do not know Ottox. Is he also from this corner of the world?

Cissdur

Well, yes, Ottox is a Dane. I think, he now lives in Basel, Switzerland, with his girl-friend. The two of them met via H2G2. Last September I was happily joining a small South German meet-up. Only 4 of 9 were "real" Germans (like me). One was from Lithuania, one an Englishman living in Strassburg (France), one from Danmark (namely Ottox), one from Basel (his friend), one Englishwoman living in Germersheim (Germany).

CU
HP
»--.

Greetings from another "real" German