St Thomas History.................................. 30

the Danish abolished slavery in 1848, planters began to abandon their estates and the population and economy dwindled. began to abandon their estates and the population and economy dwindled. Threatened by German expansion during World War I, the U.S. bought the Danish West Indies War I, the U.S. bought the Danish West Indies (now the American Virgin Islands) on March 31, 1917. Even then the islands were expensive real 1917. Even then the islands were expensive real estate – almost $300 an acre. In 1927, residents were granted U.S. citizenship. ship. Until 1931, the islands were administered by the U.S. Navy. Then they were placed under the Department of the Interior with a Governor appointed by the President. A locally elected appointed by the President. A locally elected legislature (15 members from all three legislature (15 members from all three islands) has operated since 1852, but it islands) has operated since 1852, but it wasn’t until 1970 that islanders could wasn’t until 1970 that islanders could vote for their own Governor, and in 1972, a delegate to the U.S Congress. 1972, a delegate to the U.S Congress. Though U.S. citizens, residents have no vote in national elections. Nor does the Washington representative have a vote on the floor of the house. We celebrated the Centennial as a U.S. Territory in 2017.

Want to learn more? Take a historic walking tour, local safari bus tour or visit the local shipwreck museum!