U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing and Danish Minister Constantin Brun signed the cession convention (often called the Treaty of the Danish West Indies), setting terms for U.S. purchase of the islands for $25 million in gold and transfer of sovereignty.
The U.S. Senate approved the cession convention, enabling U.S. ratification to proceed under the treaty process.
A Danish referendum approved the proposed sale/cession of the Danish West Indies to the United States, clearing a key domestic political hurdle in Denmark.
Denmark’s Rigsdagen ratified the convention after the referendum, moving the agreement toward formal exchange of ratifications.
The United States and Denmark formally exchanged ratifications, completing the treaty’s entry into force procedures between the two governments.
Congress enacted a law to provide a temporary government for the islands the U.S. was acquiring from Denmark; this framework governed the territory until replaced by the 1936 Organic Act.
On Transfer Day, the United States took formal possession of the former Danish West Indies (renamed the Virgin Islands). Payment of $25 million in gold was made in Washington, and flag-transfer ceremonies were held in the islands.
Congress enacted the first major statute conferring U.S. citizenship for defined groups of Virgin Islands inhabitants and natives, establishing a statutory basis for citizenship tied to specified residency and status conditions.
Congress enacted additional legislation (including an Act of June 28, 1932) to address gaps left by the 1927 law and extend U.S. citizenship to additional Virgin Islands natives and certain children, including some residing outside the islands.
The Organic Act of the Virgin Islands of the United States created a more durable civil government structure, replacing the earlier temporary-governance framework and expanding local legislative arrangements.
Congress enacted the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, replacing the 1936 Organic Act and serving as the modern constitutional framework for territorial government (including the legislature and bill of rights structure).
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Virgin Islands Elective Governor Act, amending the Revised Organic Act to provide for popular election of the governor (implemented beginning in 1970).
Congress enacted Public Law 94-584, authorizing the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands to convene constitutional conventions and draft a constitution for local self-government, subject to presidential and congressional review.
Congress established the Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission to plan and carry out activities commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1917 transfer and establishment of U.S. territorial status.
Treaty and Purchase: U.S. Virgin Islands Acquisition from Denmark (1917–present)
