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Celebrate Leif Erikson Day with us - explore the legacy of this Viking explorer and discover all the amazing stories he left behind!
Celebrate Leif Erikson Day on October 9 by honoring the achievements of one of the world's first known explorers! This day has been commemorated since 1964, when it was created to honor and recognize Leif Erikson's discovery of North America in 1000 A.D. It is a day to reflect upon his courage and determination as he ventured into unknown lands with no maps or navigation tools.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Erikson Discovers North America</div><div class='timeline-text'>Leif Erikson, a Norse explorer, makes his groundbreaking journey to North America, 500 years before Christopher Columbus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1874</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Erikson Recognition Grows</div><div class='timeline-text'>Scholars begin to recognize Erikson's discovery. Rasmus B. Anderson publishes "America Not Discovered By Columbus,” advocating Leif Erikson as the true discoverer of North America.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1925</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Leif Erikson Statue</div><div class='timeline-text'>In honor of Erikson, a statue is erected in his likeness in Reykjavik, Iceland leading the way for future commemorations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1930</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Second Leif Erikson Statue</div><div class='timeline-text'>A statue of Leif Erikson is gifted by the United States to Norway, strengthening ties between the nations, and further establishing Erikson's international recognition.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1964</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Leif Erikson Day Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Lyndon B. Johnson signs a proclamation that designates October 9 as Leif Erikson Day, officially recognizing his achievements.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Commemoration Continues</div><div class='timeline-text'>Leif Erikson's legacy continues to be recognized and celebrated in modern culture, impacting literature, arts, and historical study.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn about Leif Erikson</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to learn more about the life and achievements of Leif Erikson. Read books, watch movies or documentaries, or search online for articles and stories.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a dinner party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family together for a dinner party in celebration of Leif Erikson Day. Serve traditional Nordic dishes such as herring, salmon, potatoes, and rye bread.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit Norway</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you're feeling adventurous, take a trip to Norway to explore the land of Vikings. Visit Viking museums and learn more about their culture, take a guided tour to experience the beauty of the country's mountains and fjords.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make a craft</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and make a craft celebrating Leif Erikson Day. Make a Viking ship out of paper or wood, create a Viking helmet out of cardboard or construction paper, or design a poster commemorating the event.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a movie</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather together with friends and family to watch an inspiring movie about Leif Erikson and his adventures. You can also watch documentaries or videos online that tell the story of his discovery.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates a great explorer</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer who is credited with discovering North America centuries before Christopher Columbus. He voyaged to lands now known as Canada and Newfoundland, proving that the Vikings were capable of great feats of exploration and courage.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors the spirit of exploration</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Leif Erikson Day is an opportunity to celebrate the drive and ambition of those who explore unchartered waters. It's also a reminder to appreciate cultures and history outside of our own, paying homage to Leif Erikson's bravery in traversing unknown lands.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages learning</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By marking October 9th as Leif Erikson Day, we are reminded to take time out to learn about the life and accomplishments of this brave Norse explorer. Schools often incorporate lessons on Leif Erikson into their curriculums for students, creating a valuable lesson in both history and exploration.</p></div></div>
Leif Erikson Day is celebrated on October 9 every year. In 2024 Leif Erikson Day will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
Oct 9
Monday
2024
Oct 9
Wednesday
2025
Oct 9
Thursday
2026
Oct 9
Friday
2027
Oct 9
Saturday
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