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The U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates the 100th anniversary of Transfer Day on March 31 on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas.

Transfer Day, a national holiday, commemorates the day in 1917 when the 133-square-mile island chain comprising the Danish West Indies was ceded to the U.S. by Denmark, becoming the U.S. Virgin Islands in exchange for $25 million in gold.

The U.S. interest in the islands primarily was their strategic location to improve military positioning during World War I. Later, the islands were a foothold in the Caribbean for the U.S. Navy in World War II.

The destination’s “Centennial Commemoration” promotion, which gives visitors $300 in spending credits for tours and activities, has generated more than 500 bookings in March, according to Beverly Nicholson-Doty, commissioner of tourism.

“We observe the significant milestone on March 31, but throughout 2017 we are staging events and festivities on all three islands to mark the centennial,” the commissioner said.

Sоurсе: travelweekly.com