The Inuit has populated Greenland for the last approximately 800 years. Denmark colonized the island in 1721. In 1941, while occupied Denmark was unable to act, the USA took over the defence of Greenland and established two large air bases, among other things. After the war, the USA offered to buy Greenland for 100 million USD – an offer which Denmark rejected. Greenland was granted Home Rule in 1979, and in 2009 the current Self-Government was established which grants Greenland a large degree of autonomy.

In August 2019, the US government once again offered to buy Greenland.