Rebild National Park is a Danishnational park situated near the town of Skørping in Rebild municipality, Region Nordjylland in northern Jutland, Denmark. The idea of arranging an annual gathering for Danish-Americans in a moorland setting in Denmark originated with Danish immigrant Max Henius. Funds were raised by Danish Americans to purchase to 200 acres of heather-covered hills and moorland, located within Denmark's largest forest, Rold Forest. When the area for the park was presented to the Danish government, it was specified that the area was to remain in its natural state and be open to the general public throughout the year. Henius also required it to serve as the venue for annual Fourth of July celebrations. Every July 4 since 1912, except during the two world wars, large crowds have gathered in the heather-covered hills of Rebild to celebrate AmericanIndependence Day. Due to a period of national mourning caused by King Frederik VIII's sudden death in May 1912, the first Rebild Festival was delayed until August 5. It was attended by somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 people, including about 1,000 returning emigres to the U.S. Attendance peaked at approximately 50,000 in 1948.
Main speakers
1928 Marlon Letcher and Erik Appel 1929 North Winship and Th. Stauning 1930 Dr. Henry C. Leach and Dr. Knud Rasmussen 1931 Ruth Bryan Owen and Oberst H.C. Hansen 1932 F.W.B. Coleman and Halvor Jacobsen 1933 Sophus Hartwick and Oberst Poulsen 1934 Ruth Bryan Owen and Peter Freuchen 1935 Ruth Bryan Owen and Th. Stauning 1936 Erland Gjessing and Vilhelm Andersen 1937 North Winship and Johs. Poulsen 1938 John Hansen and Th. Stauning 1939 Malcolm F. Perkins and A. Th. Dorf 1945 Minister Monnette B. Davis and Prime MinisterVilhelm Buhl 1946 Ambassador Josiah Marvel and Prime Minister Knud Kristensen 1947 Dr. Emanuel Nielsen and Professor N.E. Nørlund 1948 Jean Hersholt and Julius Bomholt 1949 Editor Chr. Brix and Professor J. Brønsted 1950 Peter L. Jensen and Mogens Lorentzen 1951 John Hansen and Dr. Flemming Hvidberg 1952 Dr. Johs. Knudsen/Jean Hersholt and Prime Minister Erik Eriksen 1953 Paul G. Hoffmann and Author Hans Hartvig Seedorf-Pedersen 1954 Ambassador Robert D. Coe and Ambassador Henrik Kauffmann
