Christian X (1870-1947) was king of Denmark from 1912 to 1947. A member of the House of Glucksborg, he became an important symbol of Danish resistance to the German occupation during World War II (1939-1945).
Christian X was born on Sept. 26, 1870, at Charlottenlund, near Copenhagen. He succeeded his father, Frederik VIII, to the throne. During Christian’s reign, the Danish government passed social security laws and many other reforms. In 1915, Christian signed a new constitution that ended the special rights for the upper classes in Denmark.
The German army invaded Denmark in 1940. The Danish forces quickly surrendered, but Christian continued to occupy the throne. He inspired the Danish people by riding his horse through Copenhagen daily. From 1943 to 1945, the Germans held him captive in Sorgenfri Palace near Copenhagen. He died on April 20, 1947.
