Over 50 million Europeans left to travel to America, Canada and other foreign countries during the period 1814-1914. However, 90% immigrated to America. Travel agents and shipping lines made huge profits because of the immigration. The agents promoted America. Only 2,000 Danes immigrated from 1820-1850. During that period, it was costly to travel. Teachers, preachers and tradesmen were mostly the individuals who could afford to travel.

Many Danes were impressed by letters they received from friends and relatives, who had immigrated to America. They decided to immigrate themselves. Now and then, an immigrant would travel alone and send for his wife and children at a later date. The Danish Pioneer's editor Sophus Neble did just that, coming to America alone and sending for his girlfriend and his brothers at a later date.

Unemployment and tough times in Denmark, especially for farmers, persuaded many to take the big step and immigrate.

Many Baptists and Mormons left Denmark from 1850-1870 and settled in America. Some settled in Utah, others in Arizona and Wisconsin.

Approximately 20,000 Danes left Denmark between 1870 and 1895. Steamships left Denmark and arrived in America 10 days later. Scandinavian-American Line was owned by Danes. The ship, Frederik VIII, transported more than half a million immigrants to America. In addition, more and more women immigrated. The states preferred by the Danish immigrants were Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan and California.

The Danish immigrants were hardworking individuals and were very much in demand and respected. During that period, it was difficult for the immigrants to settle in America. A simple house built with logs was often the first home for immigrants from all nations. Many farmers settled in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

During the period 1895-1910, Danish immigrants settled in various cities in America, such as New York City, Chicago and Racine, Wisconsin. Many workers, especially tradesmen, settled in cities. Tradesmen were dreaming of establishing their own businesses and thus becoming independent. Danes enjoyed building churches, which resembled churches in their homeland. Danes also celebrated various events, which had ties to their homeland.

In 1921, America changed immigration laws. A quota-system was established and it limited how many could immigrate from each country. The number of Danes coming to America subsequently dropped. From 1910-1930, only 50,000 Danes immigrated to America.