Happy Leif Erickson Day!

Every year on October 9th, Leif Erikson Day gives recognition to the first European to set foot on North American soil.

Around 1002 A.D., Leif Erikson sailed to North America from his home in Greenland. He went in search of a land seen (but not visited) by a Norse Sea Captain. During the voyage, he landed in a number of places. The landings were never documented in a map. It is believed he landed along the coast of New Foundland, and perhaps as far south as near Cape Cod. Erikson and his men spent the long winter in North America, building a large house for lodging and a shed to shelter the boat. Leif Erikson never returned to further explore North America. A number of explorers, including his brother, traveled to North America.

In 1964, a joint resolution of Congress declared October 9th as Leif Erikson Day.