When Was Denmark "Founded"? A Historical Perspective

Countries aren't "found" like artifacts. Denmark's formation is a gradual process:

• Earliest human presence: ~12,500 BC (post-glacial reindeer hunters).
• Unified kingdom: 10th century CE—Harald Bluetooth (c. 958–987) united Jutland, Zealand, and Skåne; Jelling stones declare "won all Denmark."
• Constitutional monarchy: 1849 (June 5)—first democratic constitution; celebrated as Constitution Day.
• Modern borders: 1920 (North Schleswig referendum); 1944 (Iceland independence); 1948/1979 (Faroe Islands/Greenland home rule).

So: c. 960 CE for the recognizable kingdom; 1849 for the democratic state. The name "Denmark" (Danmǫrk, "Borderlands of the Danes") appears c. 9th century.