American keynote speakers in past years have included former presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush. In the nearby city of Aalborg, various arrangements take place related to the celebrations under the name of American Days.
The story behind the Rebild Hills
The idea to use a piece of Danish moorland landscape as a gathering place for Danish Americans to meet each year with family, friends, and acquaintances in their own country originated with Max Henius. Both in joy, happiness and also a little melancholy they would remember the many who, due to circumstances in their own country, where forced to build a future “over there”.
These emigrant rallies, as they were referred to, later came to be known as the Rebild Celebrations. Max Henius had no doubt – it was only fitting that they be held on the American Independence Day, beginning with July 4, 1912.
Danish-Americans funded the purchase of the 190.82 acres of land by collecting donations across the US. This enabled them to present the national park to the Danish government. The park was always to be open to the public, with Danish-born Americans being permitted to celebrate July 4 and other American days of remembrance there. Last, but not least, the park was to remain in its natural state – understood as moorland landscape.
Rebild committee members presented King Christian X with the deed to the Danish American National Park, as it was then known.
Go to the Organizers' website.
