By suzanne downing 
President Donald Trump has officially proclaimed Oct. 9 as Leif Erikson Day, honoring the legendary Norse explorer widely credited as the first European to set foot in North America.
Leif Erikson is thought to have reached North America around 1000 AD, landing in a region he called Vinland, generally believed to be in modern-day Newfoundland, Canada, based on archaeological evidence such as the L’Anse aux Meadows site, a Norse settlement.
The Norse sagas, such as the Saga of the Greenlanders and the Saga of Erik the Red, describe his explorations. The descriptions of Vinland suggest a region with milder climates and resources like timber and grapes, consistent with coastal areas of Atlantic Canada. Norse explorers were skilled navigators capable of long voyages.
In a presidential proclamation issued Wednesday, Trump praised Erikson’s courage, faith, and pioneering spirit, calling him “one of the great explorers in world history” whose legacy continues to shape the American story.
“More than a millennium ago, legendary Norse Viking Leif Erikson forever changed the course of history when he fearlessly embarked on a daring expedition into the unknown,” Trump wrote. “This Leif Erikson Day, we summon his courage, we honor his enduring legacy of adventure and exploration, and we renew our resolve to advance the limits of human achievement.”
The President’s proclamation linked Erikson’s spirit of discovery to the broader arc of American history, from the westward expansion to the moon landing.
“Leif Erikson’s triumphant spirit of exploration has continued to define the American story — from the pioneers who tamed the Western frontier to the Apollo 11 astronauts who proudly planted the Stars and Stripes on the Moon,” Trump said.
The president also highlighted the deep ties between the United States and Nordic nations, noting that his administration continues to strengthen partnerships with Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland “to promote peace through strength and ensure a safer and more prosperous future for America and the North Atlantic.”
For several decades presidents have proclaimed Oct. 9 Leif Erickson Day, beginning in 1935 with President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Trump concluded his proclamation by calling on Americans “to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Nordic Americans to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.”
Suzanne Downing
Maybe these explorers and sailors were running from Big government too
When you think of us today most of us are not very much different than early explorers
When Empires encroach on civil liberties, there is a remnant going off to explore No-man’s lands for their own personal freedoms, goals, and dreams.