DEC 7

Mexico

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Most people know the Copenhagen Stock Exchange for its twisted Dragon Spire, which rose above Slotsholmen as a landmark of the city’s skyline. The building was erected in the early 1600s at the initiative of King Christian IV, who wished to strengthen Danish trade and turn Copenhagen into an international commercial hub.

For over 400 years, Børsen has stood as a symbol of commerce, craftsmanship, and royal vision. But in April 2024, the building was struck by a devastating fire that destroyed large parts of its historic structure. Still, hope remains strong: reconstruction is already underway, and Børsen is expected to reopen in 2029 – rebuilt with respect for the past and with an eye toward the future.

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One of the most dramatic and fascinating anecdotes from the old Børsen in Copenhagen – the distinctive building with the twisted Dragon Spire – took place in the autumn of 1918, in the shadow of both the First World War and the global economic turmoil that followed.

Today’s Anecdote

The Storming of the Stock Exchange – 1918

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It was November 11, 1918, the very day the armistice was signed in Europe and the First World War officially came to an end. But while people in Paris and London were celebrating, the atmosphere in Copenhagen was anything but peaceful – especially at the Stock Exchange.

The Danish economy had been under severe strain during the war. Unemployment, inflation, and food shortages had created deep unrest among the working class, and many believed that speculators and financiers at Børsen had profited from the chaos of war. A widespread mood of anger and mistrust had been building for months – and on this day, it finally erupted.

Hundreds of angry workers, many organized through trade unions and Social Democratic groups, marched from Nørrebro toward the city center, heading straight for the Stock Exchange. They carried banners with slogans such as “No profit from the people’s suffering!” and “Stop the war profiteers!”

When they arrived at Børsen, the gates were shut, but that did not stop the demonstrators from forcing their way onto the grounds. According to eyewitnesses, a smaller group even broke into the building itself – chaos broke out. Papers flew through the air, desks were overturned, and shouts of abuse were hurled at the shocked brokers, who tried to find refuge.

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One particularly dramatic scene unfolded when a young man, dressed only in work clothes and muddy boots, climbed onto one of the heavy mahogany tables in the trading hall and shouted:

"Now you will hear the voice of the people – not the stock prices!"

The police soon arrived and cleared the building without major violence, but the incident shook the Danish financial world and became known in the press as “The Storming of the Stock Exchange.” It triggered a fierce debate in both Parliament and the public about economic inequality and the growing social tensions in Denmark.

The Storming of the Stock Exchange was never repeated on the same scale, but that day stands as one of the few times in modern Danish history when workers literally forced their way into the economic heart of power – when the thick walls of the Stock Exchange briefly felt the pressure of an entire people’s anger.

Today, the episode is remembered as a dramatic reminder of how quickly inequality and crisis can ignite sparks – even within the most formal and tradition-steeped institutions.

MORE ABOUT THE COFFEE

Mexico

Origin

Chiapas - El Flamingo

coffee roast

Taste Notes

Red apple, almond,

fig, caramel

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This coffee is produced by a farming community in Jaltenango, Chiapas, who united in 2011 after the coffee rust crisis to create Finca el Flamingo. Grown organically at high altitudes, the cherries are hand-harvested between January and April, then washed and sun-dried near the farms before being milled in Comitán and shipped from Veracruz.
The result is a cup that reflects both care and terroir: bright and clean with gentle sweetness, soft fruit notes, and a smooth, lingering finish—an authentic taste of Chiapas’ highland spirit.

Certification: Organic

Altitude: 400 – 1600 m.a.s.l

Varieties: Arabica

Process: Washed

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Did you know that you can order same coffee as beans?

SHOP MEXICO BEANS

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