Leif Ericson Day

Long before Christopher Columbus "discovered" America, Leif Ericson landed there. In 1960, archaeologists found evidence that a Norse settlement had been established in Newfoundland around 1000 AD. Leif Ericson is honored on October 9, Leif Ericson Day.

Although Columbus Day is still celebrated, it has long been known that Leif Ericson arrived in America far earlier than Christopher Columbus. In 1877, Rasmus Bjorn Anderson published the book America Not Discovered By Columbus. An obituary published in the Racine Journal-Times (Racine, Wisconsin) included quotes from Anderson about Leif Ericson Day and his book.

Racine Journal-Times, 3 March 1936, page 16

In 1923, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle published the article "Why Nordics of United States Should Honor Leif Ericson Who Discovered America 500 Years Before Columbus."

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 30 September 1923, page 33

This is an excerpt from the article:

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 30 September 1923, page 33

A year later, the following advertisement appeared in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle:

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 3 October 1924, page 32

Scandinavian societies hold celebrations in honor of Leif Ericson Day. In 1927, one of the celebrations was held by Bj. Bjornson lodge, Sons of Norway.

Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA), 13 September 1927, page 5

The Leif Ericson Viking Ship holds an annual ceremony which includes a ship sailing and a banquet. A different Scandinavian country is featured each year. This year's featured country is Iceland.