Original version

BBC World Service Online

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: The Whisky War: Denmark v Canada

Documentaries

Whiskey war blocks.jpg

01/03/2024 GMT

The Whisky War: Denmark v Canada

BBC World Service - Witness History, The Whisky War: Denmark v Canada

Beginning in 1984, a dispute over an island was marked by geniality, and bottles of booze

What could be the friendliest territorial dispute in history was sparked in 1984 when both Canada and Denmark claimed ownership of a tiny island.

In 1984, a diplomatic dispute broke out between Canada and Denmark over the ownership of a tiny island in the Arctic.

The fight for Hans Island off the coast of Greenland became known as the Whisky War. Both sides would leave a bottle of alcohol for the enemies after raising their national flag. 

What could be the friendliest territorial dispute in history came to an end in 2022, with the agreement held up as an example of how diplomacy should work.

Janice Fryett hears from Tom Hoyem and Alan Kessel, politicians on either side of the bloodless war.

A Made in Manchester Production for the BBC World Service. 

(Photo: Tom Hoyem with a Danish flag on Hans Island. Credit: Niels Henriksen)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

The Whisky War: Denmark v Canada

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Online

About BBC World Service