The "Day of Transfer" of St. Croix from Denmark to the US, March 31, 1917, has been celebrated now for over 90 years. A check for $25 million passed from The Secretary of the Treasury to the Danish Minister, Constantine Brun, and the transfer was complete. The position of Acting Governor went to the Navy's Rear-Admiral James H. Oliver.

The first Transfer Day Celebration took hold with music, speeches and prayer. The Danish Dannebrog came down and up went the Stars and Stripes. Christiansted and Frederiksted filled with revelers as one hundred and eighty four years of Danish rule came to a close. Teary ambivalence prevailed, however, with thoughts of an uncertain future before them. Many Virgin Island citizens went back to Denmark but thousands opted to stay. The Danes, to this day, continue to visit their beloved Virgin Islands.

The Annual Transfer Day Ceremonies will be held at the Carl and Marie Lawaetz Family Museum at Little LaGrange, off Mahogany Road in Frederiksted, on Tuesday, March 31, at 10:00am. Call 772-0598 for more information or directions.