The Norse explorer Erik the Red arrives in Greenland with a fleet of Viking ships, according to the medieval Icelandic sagas. The Norsemen established two settlements that had a peak population of 2,500-5,000 but disappeared around 1450 for unknown reasons.

The island briefly fell under the protection of the United States, which was interested in its critical weather stations, after Germany occupied Denmark during World War II. President Harry Truman offered $100 million − about $1.3 billion today − in gold to Denmark for Greenland after the war but they declined the offer.

The single polling station in Greenland ’s capital city is ready. This big Arctic island with a tiny population holds early parliamentary elections Tuesday that are being closely watched. U.S. President Donald Trump has made clear he wants to take control of the region that occupies a strategic North Atlantic location and contains rare earth minerals key to driving the global economy.