Leif Erikson Day

It’s Leif Erikson Day! Leif Erikson, the son of Erik the Red, was the first European to land in North America. According to The Sagas of Icelanders, a historical account from the 10th and 11th centuries, he established a Norse settlement in Newfoundland, Canada around the year 1001—more than 400 years before Christopher Columbus was born!

Leif Erikson was only twenty-four years old at the time of his voyage. After rescuing an Icelandic castaway and his crew he was nicknamed Leif the Lucky.

In 1964, the United States Congress declared October 9 Leif Erikson Day in honor of this historical Viking. Share your knowledge about Leif Erikson with others and celebrate his important role in the history of North America!