Editing Copenhagen (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of Copenhagen}}
{{For timeline}}
[[File:København1500.jpg|right|thumb|Reconstruction of Copenhagen {{circa|1500}}]]

===Early history===
Substantial discoveries of [[flint]] tools in the area provide evidence of human settlements dating to the [[Stone Age]].<ref>{{cite web|date=5 November 2008|title=Arkæologer graver ny teori om København op af mulden|url=http://videnskab.dk/kultur-samfund/arkaeologer-graver-ny-teori-om-kobenhavn-op-af-mulden|access-date=12 November 2013|publisher=Videnskab.dk|language=da|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225012017/https://videnskab.dk/kultur-samfund/arkaeologer-graver-ny-teori-om-kobenhavn-op-af-mulden|url-status=live}}</ref> Many historians believe the town dates to the late [[Viking Age]], and was possibly founded by [[Sweyn Forkbeard|Sweyn I Forkbeard]].{{sfn|Cunningham|2013|p=35}} 

Multiple finds indicate that Copenhagen's origins as a city go back at least to the 11th century. The natural harbour and good [[herring]] stocks seem to have attracted fishermen and merchants to the area on a seasonal basis from the 11th century and more permanently in the 13th century.<ref name="khdsd">{{cite web|title=København – historie|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn_-_historie|access-date=12 November 2013|website=Den Store Danske|language=da|archive-date=22 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022204636/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%C3%B8benhavn/K%C3%B8benhavn/K%C3%B8benhavn_-_historie|url-status=live}}</ref> The first habitations were probably centred on [[Gammel Strand]] (literally 'old shore') in the 11th century or even earlier.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gammel Strand|url=http://www.copenhagen.dk/dk/kulturmiljo/historier_om_kbenhavn/gammel_strand1/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131124104344/http://www.copenhagen.dk/dk/kulturmiljo/historier_om_kbenhavn/gammel_strand1/|archive-date=24 November 2013|access-date=24 November 2013|publisher=Københavns Museum|language=da}}</ref> Recent [[archaeological]] finds in connection with work on the city's metropolitan rail system, revealed the remains of a large merchant's mansion near today's [[Kongens Nytorv]] from {{Circa|1020}}. The remains of an ancient church, with graves dating to the 11th century, have been unearthed near where [[Strøget]] meets [[Rådhuspladsen]]. Excavations in [[Pilestræde]] have also led to the discovery of a well from the late 12th century.  

Nonethless, the earliest written mention of the town was in the 12th century when [[Saxo Grammaticus]] in [[Gesta Danorum]] referred to it as {{Lang|la|Portus Mercatorum}}, meaning 'Merchants' Harbour' or, in the [[Danish language|Danish]] of the time, {{Lang|mis|Købmannahavn}}<!-- Old Danish -->.<ref name="metro1415">Skaarup; Jensen (2002), pp. 14–15</ref> Traditionally, Copenhagen's founding has been dated to [[Absalon|Bishop Absalon]]'s construction of a modest fortress on the little island of [[Slotsholmen]] in 1167 where [[Christiansborg Palace]] stands today.{{sfn|Davies|1944|p=365}} The construction of the fortress was in response to attacks by [[Wends|Wendish]] pirates who plagued the coastline during the 12th century.{{sfn|Harding|2009|p=38}} Defensive ramparts and moats were completed, and by 1177 St. Clemens Church had been built. Attacks by the Wends continued, and after the original fortress was eventually destroyed by the marauders, islanders replaced it with [[Copenhagen Castle]].{{Sfn|Christopher|2006|p=78}}

===Middle Ages===

In 1186, a letter from [[Pope Urban III]] states that the castle of ''Hafn'' (Copenhagen) and its surrounding lands, including the town of Hafn, were given to [[Absalon]], Bishop of Roskilde (1158–1191) and Archbishop of Lund (1177–1201), by King [[Valdemar I of Denmark|Valdemar I]]. Upon Absalon's death, the property was to come into the ownership of the [[Diocese of Roskilde (Roman-Catholic)|Bishopric of Roskilde]].<ref name=khdsd/> Around 1200, the [[Church of Our Lady (Copenhagen)|Church of Our Lady]] was constructed on higher ground to the northeast of the town, which began to develop around it.<ref name=khdsd/>

As the town became more prominent, it was repeatedly attacked by the [[Hanseatic League]]. In 1368, it was successfully invaded during the [[Second Danish-Hanseatic War]]. As the fishing industry thrived in Copenhagen, particularly in the trade of [[herring]], the city began expanding to the north of Slotsholmen.{{sfn|Harding|2009|p=38}} In 1254, it received a charter as a city under Bishop [[Jakob Erlandsen]]<ref name="Copenhagen1898">{{Cite book|last=Copenhagen|first=Dansk turistforening|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kJPVAAAAMAAJ|title=Copenhagen, the Capital of Denmark|year=1898|page=49|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529093640/https://books.google.com/books?id=kJPVAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> who garnered support from the local fishing merchants against the king by granting them special privileges.{{sfn|Booth|2003|p=9}} In the mid 1330s, the first land assessment of the city was published.{{sfn|Booth|2003|p=9}}

With the establishment of the [[Kalmar Union]] (1397–1523) between [[Denmark]], [[Norway]] and Sweden, by about 1416 Copenhagen had emerged as the capital of Denmark when [[Eric of Pomerania]] moved his seat to Copenhagen Castle.<ref name="Ingebritsen2006">{{Cite book|last=Ingebritsen|first=Christine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v1VRPBAF9NcC&pg=PA7|title=Scandinavia in World Politics|date=1 January 2006|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-7425-0966-5|pages=7–|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529042032/https://books.google.com/books?id=v1VRPBAF9NcC&pg=PA7|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn|Christopher|2006|p=78}} The [[University of Copenhagen]] was inaugurated on 1 June 1479 by King [[Christian I of Denmark|Christian I]], following approval from Pope [[Sixtus IV]].<ref name="histuni">{{cite web|title=History of the University|url=http://introduction.ku.dk/presentation/history/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023034930/http://introduction.ku.dk/presentation/history/|archive-date=23 October 2012|access-date=12 November 2013|publisher=University of Copenhagen}}</ref> This makes it the oldest university in Denmark and [[List of medieval universities|one of the oldest in Europe]]. Originally controlled by the [[Catholic Church]], the university's role in society was forced to change during the [[Reformation in Denmark–Norway and Holstein|Reformation in Denmark]] in the late 1530s.<ref name="histuni" />

===16th and 17th centuries===
{{multiple image
| align             = right
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| width             = 220
| image1            = Arsenal Museum Copenhagen backend.jpg
| caption1          = The [[Danish War Museum]], the former arsenal
| image2            = Old Stock Exchange Copenhagen, pic-001.JPG
| caption2          = Børsen, the former stock exchange (completed in 1640)
}}

In disputes prior to the Reformation of 1536, the city which had been faithful to [[Christian II of Denmark|Christian II]], who was Catholic, was successfully besieged in 1523 by the forces of [[Frederik I of Denmark|Frederik I]], who supported [[Lutheranism]]. Copenhagen's defences were reinforced with a series of towers along the city wall. After an extended siege from July 1535 to July 1536, during which the city supported Christian II's alliance with [[Malmö]] and [[Lübeck]], it was finally forced to capitulate to [[Christian III of Denmark|Christian III]]. During the second half of the century, the city prospered from increased trade across the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] supported by Dutch shipping. [[Christoffer Valkendorff]], a high-ranking statesman, defended the city's interests and contributed to its development.<ref name=khdsd/> The Netherlands had also become primarily Protestant, as were northern German states.

During the reign of [[Christian IV of Denmark|Christian IV]] between 1588 and 1648, Copenhagen had dramatic growth as a city. On his initiative at the beginning of the 17th century, two important buildings were completed on [[Slotsholmen]]: the [[Tøjhus Museum|Tøjhus Arsenal]] and [[Børsen]], the stock exchange. To foster international trade, the [[Danish East India Company|East India Company]] was founded in 1616. To the east of the city, inspired by Dutch planning, the king developed the district of [[Christianshavn]] with canals and ramparts. It was initially intended to be a fortified trading centre but ultimately became part of Copenhagen.<ref name="kher">{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Københavns historie efter Reformationen|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn_-_historie/K%c3%b8benhavn_(Historie_-_Efter_Reformationen)|language=da|access-date=14 November 2013|archive-date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109045941/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn_-_historie/K%c3%b8benhavn_(Historie_-_Efter_Reformationen)|url-status=live}}</ref> Christian IV also sponsored an array of ambitious building projects including [[Rosenborg Slot]] and the [[Rundetårn]].{{sfn|Harding|2009|p=38}} In 1658–1659, the city withstood a siege by the [[Sweden|Swedes]] under [[Charles X Gustav of Sweden|Charles X]] and successfully repelled [[Assault on Copenhagen (1659)|a major assault]].<ref name=kher/>

By 1661, Copenhagen had asserted its position as capital of Denmark and Norway. All the major institutions were located there, as was the fleet and most of the army. The defences were further enhanced with the completion of the [[Kastellet, Copenhagen|Citadel]] in 1664 and the extension of [[Christianshavns Vold]] with its bastions in 1692, leading to the creation of a new base for the fleet at [[Holmen, Copenhagen|Nyholm]].<ref name=kher/><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Holmen|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Samfund,_jura_og_politik/Milit%C3%A6r/S%C3%B8v%C3%A6rnet/Holmen|language=da|access-date=23 November 2013|archive-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230053857/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Samfund,_jura_og_politik/Milit%C3%A6r/S%C3%B8v%C3%A6rnet/Holmen|url-status=live}}</ref>

===18th century===
[[File:Amalienborg Palace (8132069805).jpg|thumb|Frederik VIII's Palace, also known as Brockdorff Palace in [[Frederiksstaden]], part of the [[Amalienborg Palace]]]]

Copenhagen lost around 22,000 of its population of 65,000 to the [[The plague during the Great Northern War|plague]] in 1711.{{sfn|Woodward|1998|p=10}} The city was also struck by two major fires that destroyed much of its infrastructure.{{Sfn|Christopher|2006|p=78}} The [[Copenhagen Fire of 1728]] was the largest in the history of Copenhagen. It began on the evening of 20 October, and continued to burn until the morning of 23 October, destroying approximately 28% of the city, leaving some 20% of the population homeless. No less than 47% of the medieval section of the city was completely lost. Along with the [[Copenhagen fire of 1795|1795 fire]], it is the main reason that few traces of the old town can be found in the modern city.<ref>Raabyemagle, p. 16.</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Lauring|first=Kåre|title=Byen brænder|pages=86–88}}</ref>

A substantial amount of rebuilding followed. In 1733, work began on the royal residence of [[Christiansborg Palace (1st)|Christiansborg Palace]], which was completed in 1745. In 1749, development of the prestigious district of [[Frederiksstaden]] was initiated. Designed by [[Nicolai Eigtved]] in the [[Rococo]] style, its centre contained the mansions which now form [[Amalienborg]] Palace.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frederiksstaden, København|url=http://arkark.dk/building.aspx?buildingid=1921|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410025306/http://arkark.dk/building.aspx?buildingid=1921|archive-date=10 April 2014|access-date=14 November 2013|publisher=arkark.dk|language=da}}</ref> Major extensions to the naval base of [[Holmen Naval Base|Holmen]] were undertaken while the city's cultural importance was enhanced with the [[Royal Danish Theatre|Royal Theatre]] and the [[Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts|Royal Academy of Fine Arts]].<ref name="Københavns historie 1728-1914">{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Københavns historie 1728–1914|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn_-_historie/K%c3%b8benhavns_historie_1728-1914|language=da|access-date=14 November 2013|archive-date=29 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229225655/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn/K%c3%b8benhavn_-_historie/K%c3%b8benhavns_historie_1728-1914|url-status=live}}</ref>

During the 18th century, the [[Danish slave trade]], which began during the 17th century, underwent a rapid expansion. Between 1660 and 1806, Danish merchants, many of them based out of Copenhagen, transported approximately 120,000 [[Atlantic slave trade|enslaved Africans]] to the [[Danish West Indies]]. These merchants were mostly affiliated with the slave-trading [[Danish West India Company]] and [[Danish Asiatic Company]], both of which were headquartered in Copenhagen. Many buildings in Copenhagen, such as the [[Moltke Mansion]], [[Yellow Palace, Copenhagen|Yellow Palace]] and the [[Vestindisk Pakhus]] were funded with profits made from the Danish slave trade.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6PU6DQAAQBAJ&q=The+Danish+Slave+Trade+and+Its+Abolition|isbn=978-90-04-33056-6|title=The Danish Slave Trade and Its Abolition|date=7 September 2016|publisher=BRILL}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.historyhit.com/10-places-in-copenhagen-linked-to-colonialism/|title=10 Places in Copenhagen Linked to Colonialism|access-date=3 May 2024|archive-date=3 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503102905/https://www.historyhit.com/10-places-in-copenhagen-linked-to-colonialism/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the second half of the 18th century, Copenhagen benefited from Denmark's neutrality during the wars between Europe's main powers, allowing it to play an important role in trade between the states around the Baltic Sea. After Christiansborg was destroyed by fire in 1794 and another fire caused serious damage to the city in 1795, work began on the classical Copenhagen landmark of [[Højbro Plads]] while [[Nytorv]] and [[Gammel Torv]] were converged.<ref name="Københavns historie 1728-1914" />

===19th century===

As a result of [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British]] fears that Denmark would ally with [[French First Republic|France]], a [[Royal Navy]] fleet under the command of Admiral [[Hyde Parker (admiral)|Sir Hyde Parker]] was dispatched to neutralize the [[History of the Danish navy|Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy]]. On 2 April 1801, Parker's fleet encountered the Dano-Norwegian navy anchored near Copenhagen. Vice-Admiral [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Horatio Nelson]] led the main attack.{{Sfn|Nelson|2005|p=247}} The Dano-Norwegian fleet put up heavy resistance, and the battle is often considered to be Nelson's hardest-fought battle, surpassing even the heavy fighting at [[Battle of Trafalgar|Trafalgar]].{{Sfn|Pocock|1994|p=229}} It was during this battle that Lord Nelson was said to have "put the telescope to the blind eye" in order not to see Admiral Parker's signal to [[Ceasefire|cease fire]]. The British ultimately won the battle, sinking or capturing most of Dano-Norwegian fleet, which led Denmark to agree not to ally with France.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Davies|first=Peter|date=3 September 2007|title=Copenhagen's second battle remembered – 200 years on|work=The Times|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/court_and_social/article2372230.ece|access-date=13 January 2010|archive-date=29 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100529104641/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/court_and_social/article2372230.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Thoraldsens Museum.jpg|thumb|left|Gottlieb Bindesbøll's [[Thorvaldsen Museum]]]]
[[File:Otto Bache - Soldaternes hjemkomst til København i 1849.jpg|thumb|Danish soldiers returning to Copenhagen in 1849, after the [[First Schleswig War]] – painting by [[Otto Bache]] (1894)]]

In 1807, as a result of continued British fears that Denmark would ally with France, another British fleet led by Admiral [[James Gambier, 1st Baron Gambier|James Gambier]] was dispatched to Copenhagen with orders to seize or destroy the Dano-Norwegian navy. The British published a proclamation demanding the surrender of the Dano-Norwegian fleet, and the Danish responded with "what amounted to a declaration of war".{{Sfn|Smith|1998|p=204}} Gambier's forces responded by carrying out a naval bombardment of Copenhagen from 2 to 5 September. The bombardment, which saw the deployment of [[Congreve rocket]]s, killed 195 civilians and wounded 768, along with burning approximately 1,000 structures, including the [[Church of Our Lady, Copenhagen|Church of Our Lady]]. Copenhagen's defenders were unable to respond to the bombardment effectively due to relying on an [[Fortifications of Copenhagen|old defence-line]] whose limited range could not reach the British ships and their [[Range of a projectile|longer-range]] artillery. A British landing force of 30,000 men entered and occupied Copenhagen; during the battle, the British suffered almost 200 casualties, while the Danish suffered 3,000. Virtually the entire Dano-Norwegian fleet was surrendered to the British, who either burnt them or brought them back to Britain. Denmark declared war on Britain, leading to the outbreak of the [[Gunboat War]], which lasted until the 1814 [[Treaty of Kiel]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Glenthj̜, Rasmus|title=Experiences of war and nationality in Denmark-Norway, 1807–1815|publisher=Springer|year=2014|isbn=978-1-137-31389-8|location=New York City|oclc=912332684}}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Københavns bombardement|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_historie/Danmark_1536-1849/K%C3%B8benhavns_bombardement?highlight=K%C3%B8benhavns%20bombardement|language=da|access-date=15 November 2013|archive-date=10 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210144214/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_historie/Danmark_1536-1849/K%C3%B8benhavns_bombardement?highlight=K%C3%B8benhavns%20bombardement|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Hinde|1973|p=168}}

[[File:KBH 1890-1900.jpg|right|thumb|[[Slotsholmen]] canal, as seen from the Børsen building ({{circa|1900}}). In the background from left to right: [[Church of the Holy Ghost, Copenhagen|Church of the Holy Ghost]], [[Trinitatis Complex]], [[St. Nicholas' Church, Copenhagen|St. Nicholas Church]], and [[Holmen Church]].]]

Despite the turmoil the Napoleonic Wars brought to the city, Copenhagen soon experienced a period of intense cultural creativity known as the [[Danish Golden Age]]. Painting prospered under [[C.W. Eckersberg]] and his students while [[C.F. Hansen]] and [[Gottlieb Bindesbøll]] brought a [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] look to the city's architecture.<ref>{{cite web|title=Guide til Dansk Guldalder|url=http://www.guldalder.dk/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020127000149/http://www.guldalder.dk/|archive-date=27 January 2002|access-date=15 November 2013|publisher=Golden Days|language=da}}</ref> In the early 1850s, the ramparts of the city were opened to allow new housing to be built around [[The Lakes, Copenhagen|The Lakes]] ({{langx|da|Søerne}}) that bordered the old defences to the west. By the 1880s, the districts of [[Nørrebro]] and [[Vesterbro, Copenhagen|Vesterbro]] developed to accommodate those who came from the provinces to participate in the city's industrialization. This dramatic increase of space was long overdue, as not only were the old ramparts out of date as a defence system but bad [[sanitation]] in the old city had to be overcome. From 1886, the west rampart ([[Vestvolden]]) was flattened, allowing major extensions to the harbour leading to the establishment of the [[Freeport of Copenhagen]] 1892–94.<ref>{{cite web|title=Københavns Havn|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%C3%B8benhavn/K%C3%B8benhavns_Havn|access-date=24 November 2013|website=Den Store Danske|language=da|archive-date=3 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403181549/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%C3%B8benhavn/K%C3%B8benhavns_Havn|url-status=live}}</ref> Electricity came in 1892 with electric trams in 1897. The spread of housing to areas outside the old ramparts brought about a huge increase in the population. In 1840, Copenhagen was inhabited by approximately 120,000 people. By 1901, it had some 400,000 inhabitants.<ref name="Københavns historie 1728-1914" />

===20th century===
[[File:København fra luften Dmr topkbh k 07121.jpg|thumb|Central Copenhagen in 1939]]
By the beginning of the 20th century, Copenhagen had become a thriving industrial and administrative city. With its new [[Copenhagen City Hall|city hall]] and [[Copenhagen Central Station|railway station]], its centre was drawn towards the west.<ref name="Københavns historie 1728-1914" /> New housing developments grew up in [[Brønshøj]] and [[Valby]] while [[Frederiksberg]] became an enclave within the city of Copenhagen.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Frederiksberg Kommune – historie|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Danmarks_kommuner/Frederiksberg_Kommune/Frederiksberg_Kommune_(Historie)|language=da|access-date=15 November 2013|date=23 January 2013|archive-date=22 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222203620/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/Danmarks_kommuner/Frederiksberg_Kommune/Frederiksberg_Kommune_(Historie)|url-status=live}}</ref> The northern part of [[Amager]] and Valby were also incorporated into the City of Copenhagen in 1901–02.<ref>{{cite web|last=Linvald|first=Steffen|title=Københavns hvornår skete det|url=http://kobenhavnshistorie.dk/bog/khsd/1900/1900.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202230607/http://kobenhavnshistorie.dk/bog/khsd/1900/1900.html|archive-date=2 December 2013|access-date=24 November 2013|publisher=København|language=da}}</ref>

As a result of Denmark's neutrality in the [[First World War]], Copenhagen prospered from trade with both Britain and Germany while the city's defences were kept fully manned by some 40,000 soldiers for the duration of the war.<ref>{{cite web|last=Baltzersen|first=Jan|title=Denmark and Southern Jutland during the First World War|url=http://dendigitalebyport.byhistorie.dk/monumenter/artikel.aspx?xid=denmark_and_southern_jutland|access-date=1 November 2013|publisher=Dansk Center for Byhistorie|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010028/http://dendigitalebyport.byhistorie.dk/monumenter/artikel.aspx?xid=denmark_and_southern_jutland|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1920s there were serious shortages of goods and housing. Plans were drawn up to demolish the old part of Christianshavn and to get rid of the worst of the city's slum areas.{{sfn|Schaldemose|2005|p=161}} However, it was not until the 1930s that substantial housing developments ensued,<ref name="Københavns historie siden 1914">{{Cite encyclopedia|title=Københavns historie siden 1914|encyclopedia=Den Store Danske|url=http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%C3%B8benhavn/K%C3%B8benhavn/K%C3%B8benhavn_-_historie/K%C3%B8benhavns_historie_siden_1914?highlight=k%C3%B8benhavns%20historie|language=da|access-date=15 November 2013|archive-date=30 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230003247/http://www.denstoredanske.dk/Danmarks_geografi_og_historie/Danmarks_geografi/K%C3%B8benhavn/K%C3%B8benhavn/K%C3%B8benhavn_-_historie/K%C3%B8benhavns_historie_siden_1914?highlight=k%C3%B8benhavns%20historie|url-status=live}}</ref> with the demolition of one side of Christianhavn's [[Torvegade]] to build five large blocks of flats.{{sfn|Schaldemose|2005|p=161}}

====World War II====
{{See also|Denmark in World War II|Danish resistance movement}}
[[File:Shellhuset 210345.jpg|thumb|The RAF's bombing of the [[Gestapo]] headquarters in March 1945 was coordinated with the Danish resistance movement.]]
[[File:People celebrating the liberation of Denmark. 5th May 1945. At Strøget in Copenhagen..jpg|thumb|People celebrating the [[liberation of Denmark]] at Strøget in Copenhagen, 5 May 1945. Germany surrendered three days later.]]

[[Denmark in World War II|In Denmark during World War II]], Copenhagen was [[Occupation of Denmark|occupied by German troops]] along with the rest of the country from 9 April 1940 until 4 May 1945. German leader [[Adolf Hitler]] hoped that Denmark would be "a model [[protectorate]]"<ref>Henning Poulsen, "Dansk Modstand og Tysk Politik" ("Danish opposition and German Politics") in ''Jyske Historiker'' 71(1995), p.10.</ref> and initially the [[Nazism|Nazi]] authorities sought to arrive at an understanding with the Danish government. The [[1943 Danish Folketing election|1943 Danish parliamentary election]] was also allowed to take place, with only the [[Communist Party of Denmark|Communist Party]] excluded. But in August 1943, after the government's collaboration with the occupation forces collapsed, several ships were sunk in Copenhagen Harbor by the [[Royal Danish Navy]] to prevent their use by the Germans. Around that time the Nazis [[Racial policy of Nazi Germany|started to arrest Jews]], although [[Rescue of the Danish Jews|most managed to escape to Sweden]].<ref name="occupation">{{cite web|title=The Occupation of Denmark|url=http://denmark.dk/en/society/history/occupation/|access-date=15 November 2013|publisher=Denmark.dk|language=da|archive-date=19 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119221244/http://denmark.dk/en/society/history/occupation}}</ref>

In 1945 [[Ole Lippman]], leader of the Danish section of the [[Special Operations Executive]], invited the British [[Royal Air Force]] to assist their operations by attacking Nazi headquarters in Copenhagen. Accordingly, air vice-marshal [[Basil Embry|Sir Basil Embry]] drew up plans for a spectacular precision attack on the [[Sicherheitsdienst]] and [[Gestapo]] building, the former offices of the [[Shell Oil Company]]. Political prisoners were kept in the attic to prevent an air raid, so the RAF had to bomb the lower levels of the building.<ref name="milhist.dk">{{cite web|last=Velschow|first=Klaus|date=21 March 1945|title=The Bombing of the Shellhus on March 21, 1945|url=http://www.milhist.dk/besattelsen/shell/shell.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410023949/http://www.milhist.dk/besattelsen/shell/shell.html|archive-date=10 April 2014|access-date=9 March 2013|publisher=Dansk Militærhistorie}}</ref>

The attack, known as "[[Operation Carthage]]", came on 22 March 1945, in three small waves. In the first wave, all six planes (carrying one bomb each) hit their target, but one of the aircraft crashed near Frederiksberg Girls School. Because of this crash, four of the planes in the two following waves assumed the school was the military target and aimed their bombs at the school, leading to the death of 123 civilians (of which 87 were schoolchildren).<ref name="milhist.dk" /> However, 18 of the 26 political prisoners in the Shell Building managed to escape while the Gestapo archives were completely destroyed.<ref name="milhist.dk" />

On 8 May 1945 Copenhagen was officially liberated by British troops commanded by [[Field Marshal]] [[Bernard Montgomery]] who supervised the surrender of 30,000 Germans situated around the capital.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Occupation of Denmark|url=http://Denmark.dk/en/society/history/occupation/|access-date=10 May 2014|website=Denmark.dk|archive-date=26 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426223212/http://denmark.dk/en/society/history/occupation}}</ref>

====Post-war decades====
Shortly after the end of the war, an innovative urban development project known as the [[Finger Plan]] was introduced in 1947, encouraging the creation of new housing and businesses interspersed with large green areas along five "fingers" stretching out from the city centre along the [[S-train]] routes.<ref name="OECD2010">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3SK4Pg3zEHUC&pg=PA357|title=Regional Development Policies in OECD Countries|date=4 November 2010|publisher=OECD Publishing|isbn=978-92-64-08722-4|page=357|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-date=30 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530161237/https://books.google.com/books?id=3SK4Pg3zEHUC&pg=PA357|url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Cervero|1998|p=132}} With the expansion of the welfare state and women entering the work force, schools, nurseries, sports facilities and hospitals were established across the city. As a result of student unrest in the late 1960s, the former Bådsmandsstræde Barracks in [[Christianshavn]] was occupied, leading to the establishment of [[Freetown Christiania]] in September 1971.<ref name="kkkh">{{cite web|title=Københavns historie|url=http://www.kk.dk/da/om-kommunen/fakta-og-statistik/historie-og-udvikling/koebenhavns-historie|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222905/http://www.kk.dk/da/om-kommunen/fakta-og-statistik/historie-og-udvikling/koebenhavns-historie|archive-date=2 December 2013|access-date=15 November 2013|publisher=Københavns Kommune|language=da}}</ref>

Motor traffic in the city grew significantly and in 1972 the trams were replaced by buses. From the 1960s, on the initiative of the young architect [[Jan Gehl]], pedestrian streets and cycle tracks were created in the city centre.<ref>{{cite web|last=Beacom|first=Elise|date=10 November 2012|title='Copenhagenizing' the world, one city at a time|url=http://cphpost.dk/news/national/%E2%80%98copenhagenizing%E2%80%99-world-one-city-time|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130727022413/http://cphpost.dk/news/national/%E2%80%98copenhagenizing%E2%80%99-world-one-city-time|archive-date=27 July 2013|access-date=24 November 2013|publisher=the Copenhagen post}}</ref> Activity in the port of Copenhagen declined with the closure of the Holmen Naval Base. [[Copenhagen Airport]] underwent considerable expansion, becoming a hub for the [[Nordic countries]]. In the 1990s, large-scale housing developments were realised in the harbour area and in the west of [[Amager]].<ref name="Københavns historie siden 1914" /> The national library's [[Black Diamond (library)|Black Diamond]] building on the waterfront was completed in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Black Diamond|url=http://en.danskarkitekturguide.dk/node/6855|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222011/http://en.danskarkitekturguide.dk/node/6855|archive-date=2 December 2013|access-date=15 November 2013|publisher=Danish architecture guide|language=da}}</ref>

=== Gallery ===
<gallery widths="200" heights="200" mode="packed">
File:The Black Diamond, Copenhagen 2017-08-16.jpg|The [[Black Diamond (library)|Black Diamond]]
File:Christiania in.jpg|[[Freetown Christiania]] – entrance
File:Øresund Bridge from the air in September 2015.jpg|[[Øresund Bridge]]
</gallery>

===21st century===
[[File:Copenhagen Opera House 2014 04.jpg|thumb|left|Copenhagen Opera House]]
Since the summer of 2000, Copenhagen and the Swedish city of [[Malmö]] have been connected by the [[Øresund Bridge]], which carries rail and road traffic. As a result, Copenhagen has become the centre of a larger metropolitan area spanning both nations. The bridge has brought about considerable changes in the public [[transport network|transport system]] and has led to the extensive redevelopment of [[Amager]].<ref name=kkkh/> The city's service and trade sectors have developed while a number of banking and financial institutions have been established. Educational institutions have also gained importance, especially the [[University of Copenhagen]] with its 35,000 students.<ref>{{cite web|title=København|url=http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/koebenhavn/|access-date=15 November 2013|publisher=Danmarkshistorien.dk|language=da|archive-date=13 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413092651/http://danmarkshistorien.dk/leksikon-og-kilder/vis/materiale/koebenhavn/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

An important development for the city has been the opening of the [[Copenhagen Metro]] railway system in 2002. The Copenhagen Metro was extended until 2007, transporting some 54 million passengers by 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Copenhagen Metro, Denmark|url=http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/copenhagen/|access-date=23 November 2013|publisher=railwaytechnology.com|archive-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231951/http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/copenhagen/|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Copenhagen Opera House]], a gift to the city from the shipping magnate [[Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller]] on behalf of the A.P. Møller foundation, was completed in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Opera in Copenhagen|url=http://www.henninglarsen.com/projects/0400-0599/0553-the-opera-copenhagen.aspx|access-date=16 November 2013|publisher=Henning Larsen Architects|archive-date=31 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231010905/http://www.henninglarsen.com/projects/0400-0599/0553-the-opera-copenhagen.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Image:Harbour Bath, Islands Brygge.jpg|thumb|150px|The Harbour Bath at [[Islands Brygge]] ]]
In December 2009 Copenhagen gained international prominence when it hosted the worldwide climate meeting [[COP15]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Copenhagen Climate Change Conference – December 2009|url=http://unfccc.int/meetings/copenhagen_dec_2009/meeting/6295.php|access-date=15 November 2013|publisher=United Nations|archive-date=14 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114015216/http://unfccc.int/meetings/copenhagen_dec_2009/meeting/6295.php|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019 Copenhagen was crowned the ''best swimming city'' by [[CNN]] and Copenhagen harbour now has 13 official swimming zones and three [[Copenhagen Harbour Baths|harbour baths]]. Illegal bathers are fined by the police.<ref>{{cite web|title=Copenhagen Harbour once again expanding its swimming facilities|url=https://cphpost.dk/2023-06-06/news/copenhagen-harbour-once-again-expanding-its-swimming-facilities/|access-date=9 March 2025|publisher=The Copenhagen Post|author1=Julia Schenner|date=6 June 2023}}</ref>

On 3 July 2022, three people were killed in [[2022 Copenhagen mall shooting|a shooting]] at [[Field's]] mall in Copenhagen. Police chief inspector Søren Thomassen announced the arrest of a 22-year-old man and said that the police cannot rule out an act of terrorism. Also, on 17 April 2025, a man was knifed in the street.<ref>{{cite web|title=Several killed in Copenhagen shopping mall shooting|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62030919|access-date=3 July 2022|website=BBC News|date=3 July 2022|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703183749/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-62030919|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=3 July 2022|title=Several killed in shooting at Copenhagen shopping centre|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/03/several-wounded-in-shooting-at-copenhagen-shopping-centre-say-police|access-date=3 July 2022|publisher=The Guardian|archive-date=3 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703190902/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/03/several-wounded-in-shooting-at-copenhagen-shopping-centre-say-police|url-status=live}}</ref>