Leif Erikson Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Leif Erikson Day |
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U.S. stamp issued on Leif Erikson Day, 1968
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| Observed by | United States, Canada, Iceland, other places with Nordic communities |
| Type | Cultural |
| Significance | Celebrating Leif Erikson as the first European to lead a voyage to North America |
| Date | October 9 |
| Next time | October 9, 2025 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Leif Erikson |
Leif Erikson Day is a special holiday celebrated on October 9. It honors Leif Erikson, a brave Norse explorer. He is known for leading the first Europeans to arrive in North America.
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History of Leif Erikson Day
The idea of celebrating Leif Erikson started to grow in the late 1800s. In 1874, a book called America Not Discovered by Columbus was published. This book, written by Rasmus B. Anderson, helped spread the idea that Vikings were the first Europeans to reach the Americas.
In 1925, the American President Calvin Coolidge officially recognized Leif Erikson. He called Erikson the "Discoverer of America." This recognition was based on research by Norwegian-American scholars.
Making it a State Holiday
In 1930, Wisconsin became the first state to make Leif Erikson Day an official state holiday. A year later, Minnesota did the same. By 1956, seven states and one Canadian province celebrated the day. These states included Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Illinois, Colorado, Washington, and California. The Canadian province was Saskatchewan.
National Recognition in the United States
In 1963, John Blatnik, a U.S. Representative from Duluth, introduced a bill. This bill aimed to observe Leif Erikson Day across the entire United States.
In 1964, the United States Congress passed a law. It asked the President to declare October 9 as Leif Erikson Day each year. President Lyndon B. Johnson was the first to do so. Every president since then has continued this tradition. Presidents often use the day to praise the spirit of discovery. They also honor the contributions of Americans who have Nordic roots. Many states, especially in the Upper Midwest, still officially celebrate this day. This is because many people from Nordic countries settled there.
Why October 9?
The date October 9 was chosen for Leif Erikson Day. It is not linked to any specific event in Leif Erikson's life. Instead, this date marks an important moment for Norwegian immigration to the U.S. On October 9, 1825, a ship named Restauration arrived in New York Harbor. This ship came from Stavanger, Norway. Its arrival marked the beginning of organized immigration from Norway to the United States.
