History of Iceland
A sourced timeline from settlement to the republic, the Cod Wars and NATO membership.
Iceland’s history runs from settlement, with Visit Reykjavík dating the first settler’s arrival to 870 Visit Reykjavík (source checked 2026-11-06), through the Alþing at Þingvellir around 930 Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06) to a sovereign kingdom on 1 December 1918 NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) and a republic on June 17, 1944. US Office of the Historian (source checked 2026-11-06)
Key takeaways
- Þingvellir National Park says the Alþing general assembly was established at Þingvellir around 930 and met there until 1798. Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06)
- NATO’s timeline says the Kingdom of Iceland achieved sovereignty from Denmark on 1 December 1918. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06)
- The US Office of the Historian says Iceland formally became an independent republic on June 17, 1944, following a plebiscite. US Office of the Historian (source checked 2026-11-06)
- NATO says that in the third and final Cod War Iceland extended its exclusive fishery limits from 50 to 200 nautical miles. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06)
- NATO’s timeline says the Icelandic parliament voted to join NATO on 30 March 1949. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06)
| Fact | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement | 870 | Visit Reykjavík states that the person widely considered Iceland's first settler arrived in 870 (checked November 6, 2026). |
| Parliament | Alþing, around 930 | Established at Þingvellir around 930 and met there until 1798, according to Þingvellir National Park (checked November 6, 2026). |
| Commonwealth period | 930 to 1262 | Dates given by Þingvellir National Park (checked November 6, 2026). |
| Sovereign kingdom | 1 December 1918 | Date given in NATO's timeline of Iceland's history (checked November 6, 2026). |
| Republic | June 17, 1944 | Date given by the US Office of the Historian (checked November 6, 2026). |
| NATO membership | 30 March 1949 vote; 4 April 1949 signing | Dates given in NATO's timeline (checked November 6, 2026). |
This page provides a historical overview for travelers. For academic research, consult primary sources and Icelandic university archives.
For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy.
What are the key dates in Iceland’s history?
Iceland’s history can be followed through a short run of dated milestones: settlement in 870 Visit Reykjavík (source checked 2026-11-06), the Alþing at Þingvellir around 930 Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06), sovereignty as a kingdom in 1918 NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) and a republic in 1944. US Office of the Historian (source checked 2026-11-06) Each row of the timeline table names the organisation that states the date.
| Date | Event and source |
|---|---|
| 870 | Visit Reykjavík states that the person widely considered Iceland’s first settler arrived and named the spot where Reykjavík stands today. Visit Reykjavík (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| Around 930 | Þingvellir National Park says the Alþing general assembly was established at Þingvellir. Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| 930 to 1262 | Þingvellir National Park gives these years for the Icelandic Commonwealth period. Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| 1798 | Þingvellir National Park says the Alþing continued to convene at Þingvellir until this year. Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| 1 December 1918 | NATO’s timeline says the Kingdom of Iceland achieved sovereignty from Denmark. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| 1940 | The US Office of the Historian says Iceland assumed control over its own foreign affairs after German forces occupied Denmark. US Office of the Historian (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| June 17, 1944 | The US Office of the Historian says Iceland formally became an independent republic following a plebiscite. US Office of the Historian (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| 30 March and 4 April 1949 | NATO’s timeline says the Icelandic parliament voted to join NATO and that Iceland formally joined by signing the North Atlantic Treaty. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| 1958 | NATO says the first Cod War broke out when Iceland extended its maritime borders from four to 12 nautical miles. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| 1972 | NATO says Iceland extended its fishing limits again, to 50 nautical miles. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| 1986 | NATO’s timeline says Reykjavík hosted an arms control summit between the US and Soviet leaders. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) |
When was Iceland settled?
Visit Reykjavík, the capital’s visitor site, states that the person widely considered Iceland’s first settler arrived in 870 and named the spot where Reykjavík stands today. Visit Reykjavík (source checked 2026-11-06) This guide uses that 870 date for the settlement of Iceland.
What was the Alþing and where did it meet?
The Alþing was Iceland’s general assembly, and Þingvellir National Park says it was established at Þingvellir around 930 and continued to convene there until 1798. Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06) The same source states: “The Icelandic Commonwealth period ran from 930 till 1262.” Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06) It also says Þingvellir literally means Assembly Plains. Þingvellir National Park (source checked 2026-11-06)
When did Iceland become independent, 1918 or 1944?
Iceland became independent in two steps: NATO’s timeline says the Kingdom of Iceland achieved sovereignty from Denmark on 1 December 1918 NATO (source checked 2026-11-06), and the US Office of the Historian says Iceland formally became an independent republic on June 17, 1944, following a plebiscite. US Office of the Historian (source checked 2026-11-06) The Office of the Historian adds that Iceland assumed control over its own foreign affairs in 1940, after German forces occupied Denmark.
NATO’s timeline adds that in 1918 the King of Denmark also became King of Iceland. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) NATO’s historical account and the US Office of the Historian’s chronology are the two sources for these dates.
What were the Cod Wars?
NATO’s timeline of Iceland’s history describes the Cod Wars through Iceland’s extensions of its fishing limits: the first Cod War broke out in 1958 when Iceland extended its maritime borders from four to 12 nautical miles offshore, and in the third and final one Iceland extended its exclusive fishery limits from 50 to 200 nautical miles. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) NATO (source checked 2026-11-06)
| Cod War | Year | Limit change |
|---|---|---|
| First | 1958 | From four to 12 nautical miles NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| Second | 1972 | To 50 nautical miles NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) |
| Third and final | 1970s (NATO gives no exact year) | From 50 to 200 nautical miles NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) |
How did Iceland join NATO without a military?
Iceland joined NATO in 1949: NATO’s timeline says the Icelandic parliament voted to become a member on 30 March and that Iceland formally joined on 4 April by signing the North Atlantic Treaty. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06) NATO also describes Iceland as unique among NATO Allies in not having a military. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06)
NATO’s timeline also records that in 1986 Reykjavík hosted an arms control summit between the US and Soviet leaders. NATO (source checked 2026-11-06)
Planning help
History of Iceland FAQs
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
When was Iceland settled?
Visit Reykjavík states that the person widely considered Iceland's first settler arrived in 870 and named the spot where Reykjavík stands today. (checked November 6, 2026)
What is the Alþing and where did it meet?
Þingvellir National Park says the Alþing general assembly was established at Þingvellir around 930 and continued to convene there until 1798. The same source says the Icelandic Commonwealth period ran from 930 till 1262. (checked November 6, 2026)
When did Iceland become an independent republic?
Iceland became an independent republic on June 17, 1944, following a plebiscite, according to the US Office of the Historian. NATO's timeline says the Kingdom of Iceland had already achieved sovereignty from Denmark on 1 December 1918. (checked November 6, 2026)
What were the Cod Wars?
NATO's timeline says the first Cod War broke out in 1958 when Iceland extended its maritime borders from four to 12 nautical miles offshore, and that in the third and final one Iceland extended its exclusive fishery limits from 50 to 200 nautical miles. (checked November 6, 2026)
When did Iceland join NATO, and does it have a military?
NATO's timeline says the Icelandic parliament voted to become a member on 30 March 1949 and that Iceland formally joined on 4 April by signing the North Atlantic Treaty. NATO describes Iceland as unique among NATO Allies in not having a military. (checked November 6, 2026)
For more context on Iceland’s people and rural life, explore our Iceland statistics.