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History of Iceland
From antiquity to the modern era — the historical eras, key events, and narrative that shaped Iceland.
Overview
The first people known to have inhabitated Iceland were Irish monks or hermits who came in the eighth century, but left with the arrival of the pagan Norsemen, who systematically settled Iceland in the period 870 - 930 A.D. Ingolfur Arnason fled from Norway, and his followers settled in Iceland about A.D. 870. He was a chieftain from Norway, arriving in Iceland with his family and dependents in 874.
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Historical Eras
The major periods of {country}’s history at a glance.
Settlement & Commonwealth
870 – 1262
Norwegian and Celtic settlers, led by figures such as Ingólfur Árnarson, colonized Iceland between 870 and 930, after which the Althing — the world's oldest functioning parliament — was established at Þingvellir in 930. Christianity was peacefully adopted in 1000, and the 12th and 13th centuries became a golden age of literature, producing the sagas and eddas compiled by poet-historian Snorri Sturluson. Icelanders also led the European discovery of Greenland and North America during this era.
Norwegian & Danish Rule
1262 – 1874
Internal civil strife forced Iceland to submit to the Norwegian crown in 1262–64; when Norway joined the Kalmar Union in 1397, Iceland passed to Danish sovereignty. Danish rule brought the Reformation in 1551, a suffocating trade monopoly, absolute monarchy in 1662, and the dissolution of the Althing in 1800, reducing Iceland to a wholly administered colony. The Black Death of 1402–04 and catastrophic volcanic eruptions in 1783 further devastated the population and economy.
Reform & Home Rule
1874 – 1918
A rising nationalist movement secured the reinstatement of the Althing as a consultative assembly in 1843, and Iceland received its first constitution along with control over domestic finances from the Danish crown in 1874. Full home rule followed in 1904, and women gained the right to vote in national elections in 1917. The Act of Union of 1918 granted Iceland sovereignty as a separate kingdom in personal union with Denmark under the Danish crown.
Occupation & Republic
1918 – 1944
Though nominally sovereign after 1918, Iceland remained tied to Denmark until the German occupation of Denmark in 1940 prompted British forces to occupy Iceland preemptively, safeguarding the strategically vital North Atlantic island. American troops replaced the British in 1941 under a bilateral agreement. On 17 June 1944, Icelanders formally dissolved the union with Denmark and proclaimed the independent Republic of Iceland at Þingvellir.
Modern Republic
1944 – present
As a founding member of NATO in 1949 and a participant in the Marshall Plan, Iceland aligned firmly with the Western bloc and hosted a strategically important U.S. air base at Keflavík until 2006. The economy modernized rapidly around fishing, geothermal energy, and — briefly and disastrously — international banking, which collapsed spectacularly in the 2008 financial crisis. Iceland today ranks among the world's leaders in literacy, longevity, gender equality, and human development.
Timeline Preview
The first 7 key events. View the full chronology on the timeline page.
874
The Scandinavian Vikings established settlements in Iceland
The Scandinavian Vikings established settlements in Iceland.
930
The Althing established
An annual parliament,the Althing, established, to make laws and solve disputes.
986
Erik the Red established his 1st settlement on Greenland.
Erik the Red takes settlers from Iceland and established his 1st settlement on Greenland.
1000
Iceland adopts Christianity.
Iceland adopts Christianity.
1262
Icelanders recognize the King of Norway as their monarch.
After a long and bloody conflict between the various families and clans, Icelanders recognize the King of Norway as their monarch.
1380
Norway and Iceland come under Denmark’s control.
Norway and Iceland come under Denmark’s control.
1402 – 1404
The Black Death plague devastates Iceland.
The Black Death plague devastates Iceland.