← Back to briefing
Legacy
The time the US offered $100 million in gold to buy Greenland
By Stephen Ruiz ·
We Are The Mighty
· Monday, February 23, 2026
· 1 min read
↗ Share
📋 Copy link
𝕏
in
f
WA
✉
Legacy
T
We Are The Mighty
Quick read
A notable event in US history involved an offer to purchase Greenland. The proposal was made by President Harry Truman's administration, with a price of $100 million in gold. This attempt to acquire t
A notable event in US history involved an offer to purchase Greenland. The proposal was made by President Harry Truman's administration, with a price of $100 million in gold. This attempt to acquire the island occurred a year after World War II ended.
The offer was not successful, and the details of the response from Greenland or Denmark are not specified. The interest in acquiring Greenland has persisted, with President Donald Trump expressing a desire to access the island due to its strategic location. Further information about this event and its significance can be found through additional sources, including an article by Ben Johansen and Eli Stokols in Politico.
Originally reported by
We Are The Mighty .
Read the original article →
Legacy
This American flag survived D-Day, then was returned to the US 75 years later
When Howard Vander Beek died in 2014 at the age of 97, he left behind a distinct reminder of his World War II service. Vander Beek, a lieute
WA
We Are The Mighty
Our analysis The United States' historical attempts to acquire Greenland highlight the country's longstanding interest in the island's strategic location and natural resources. The fact that President Harry Truman's administration offered $100 million in gold to purchase Greenland in the aftermath of World War II demonstrates the significance of the island's position in the Arctic. This interest has only intensified in recent years, with President Donald Trump citing national and world security concerns related to Russian and Chinese threats. The presence of the Pituffik Space Base, a critical US military installation, further underscores the island's importance to US military operations. The repeated attempts to acquire Greenland, dating back to the 19th century, also reveal a pattern of US expansionism and a desire to secure key territories and resources. As the Arctic region becomes increasingly navigable due to melting ice, the US is likely to continue to prioritize its interests in Greenland, making it a key area to watch in terms of national security and international relations.
Legacy
Medal of Honor recipient and legendary Vietnam War helicopter pilot ‘Old Snake’ has died
Retired Army Col. Bruce Perry Crandall, the legendary helicopter pilot who was awarded the U.S. military’s highest decoration for valor for
TP
Task & Purpose
Legacy
Air Force crew honors WWII-era Flying Tigers with A-10 paint job
It started as a routine transfer. Following an asset transfer from Korea, maintainers at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, accepted and process
MT
Military Times - Veterans
