15 U.S. Territories That Formerly Belonged To Other Countries

3. U.S. Virgin Islands (Denmark)

The U.S. Virgin Islands—St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix—were once Danish colonies known as the Danish West Indies. The U.S. purchased them in 1917 to prevent German expansion in the Caribbean. Danish influence can still be found in local cuisine and architecture (britannica.com).