| The society was formed by leaders of the Danish community of New York in 1959 in preparation for the forthcoming royal visit of Their Majesties King Frederik IX and Queen Ingrid. |
| Enthusiastic participation by the Danes and American friends of Denmark encouraged the Society's founders to establish an ongoing organization committed to social and cultural events, which has played a meaningful role in the greater New York area and across the country. |
| Through the Societys efforts, Denmark Day was celebrated at the New York World's Fair, on May 8, 1965, honored by the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte; Danish Liberation Day was proclaimed by then-Mayor, The Honorable John Lindsay on May 4, 1970; The Metropolitan New York Chpater of The Rebild National Park Society was formed to stimulate Danish-American participation in the Rebild July Fourth Celebration of America's Independence Day. |
| One of the most celebrated events in the history of the Society is the Person of the Year award. Started in 1975, the "Person of the Year" Award is given at an annual dinner dance to the person who has contributed meaningfully to the bonds between the United States and Denmark. The first person to receive the award was the beloved humorist Victor Borge. Over the years other worthy recipients have included TV newsman Walter Cronkite, ballet master Peter Martins, Danish artist Bjørn Winblad, global businessman Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller and Academy Award filmmaker Bille August. |
| In 1976, for the bicentennial of the founding of the United States, the Society was responsible for many of the arrangements and events surrounding the visit of Their Majesties Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik to celebrate the historic occasion. Many of the Society's programs reflect the enduring social and cultural bonds that exist between Danes and Americans. |
| In 1983 the Society launched the Danish American National Cultural Exchange, commonly known as D.A.N.C.E. fund, which provides annual grants or scholarships worth thousands of dollars to promote the exchange of performing artists between Denmark and America. |
| The Danish American Society often works closely with its sister organizations, such as the Danish American Chamber of Commerce, the Danish Seamen's Church and the Danish American Co-Ordinating Council of New York, as well as the American Scandinavian organizations to arrange events throughout the year. |
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