Leif Erikson Day Celebrated Today, What Is It?
Leif Erikson Day is celebrated each year in memory of the life of Leif Erikson who was actually the first European to discover North America more than a millennium ago.
Celebrated each year on Oct. 9, Leif Erikson Day commemorates this day in 1825 when the ship Restauration landed in New York City after sailing for three months from Stavenger, Norway.
Erikson arrived to Canada nearly 500 years ahead of Christopher Columbus, who is often credited with having discovered America first.
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It is believed that Erikson may have visited Baffin Island and Labrador before settling on the Northern part of the island of Newfoundland- now all a part of Canada. There are also speculations that he may have visited what is now Minnesota in the U.S., and controversial archaeological finds such as the Kensington Runestone support this theory, but it remains unproven.
In years past, U.S. presidents including Barack Obama have publicly praised the spirit of exploration and the contributions of people with a Nordic background and their culture.
Back in 2010, Obama recounted Erikson's contribution to the world, as we know it today.
"Countless immigrants who crossed the Atlantic on voyages to the New World looked to Leif Erikson as a symbol of fortitude and a hero who did not turn back in the face of danger and uncertainty," the Presidential Proclamation read on Leif Erikson Day 2010.
The President of the U.S. went on to credit Erikson's "bold courage, determination, self-reliance and innovation" for shaping America.
Meanwhile, Erikson was born in 960 in Iceland to Norwegian parents. The explorer was the son of Eric the Red and grew up in Greenland before he took a months-long voyage that ended in what would become known as Newfoundland in 986.
On Twitter, users are celebrating Erikson's feat as #LeifEriksonDay became a trending topic on Wednesday.
"Wishing everyone a merry Leif Erikson Day," wrote Barber. "Never forget who truly was the first man to discover North America."
Heather added, "Happy LEIF ERIKSON DAY, everyone! Yes, he came to North America way before Columbus, #Vikings"
Furthermore, many Twitters users are citing the episode of Nickelodeon's "Spongebob Squarepants" which honored Leif Erikson. Watch a clip of the cartoon here.
