Significance
Many people credit the discovery of North America to Christopher Columbus. We now know that it was first visited by Vikings 500 years prior.
Leif's discovery of Newfoundland opened up a whole new part of the world for Vikings to explore. No Norse settlements were ever established in Vinland, however many voyages were made to Markland for timber and trade.
After Leif returned to Greenland, many tales of Vinland spread around Europe. It is believed that maybe Christopher Columbus heard one of these tales during his stay in Iceland in 1477. This could have influenced his journey of discovery.
Stories of Leif's journey to America inspired and excited many Nordic immigrants in North America and many statues were built in Leif's honour. These include one in Boston in 1887 and Chicago in 1901. Upon the 100th anniversary of Norwegian immigrant arrival in the USA in 1925, President Coolidge declared Leif Eriksson as the first European to discover America. Many 20th century historians did not believe the Viking sagas until proof of Viking settlement was discovered in 1960 in L'Anse aux Meadows, Canada. Eight complete house sites and artifacts were discovered and declared to be a Norse village. It is the only confirmed Norse site in North America. We now know this to be Leif Eriksson's Vinland.
As a final acknowledgement of Leif's amazing life and discovery, the United State's Congress officially declared October 9th to be annually celebrated as Leif Eriksson Day in commemoration of the first European to set foot on North American soil.
Leif's discovery of Newfoundland opened up a whole new part of the world for Vikings to explore. No Norse settlements were ever established in Vinland, however many voyages were made to Markland for timber and trade.
After Leif returned to Greenland, many tales of Vinland spread around Europe. It is believed that maybe Christopher Columbus heard one of these tales during his stay in Iceland in 1477. This could have influenced his journey of discovery.
Stories of Leif's journey to America inspired and excited many Nordic immigrants in North America and many statues were built in Leif's honour. These include one in Boston in 1887 and Chicago in 1901. Upon the 100th anniversary of Norwegian immigrant arrival in the USA in 1925, President Coolidge declared Leif Eriksson as the first European to discover America. Many 20th century historians did not believe the Viking sagas until proof of Viking settlement was discovered in 1960 in L'Anse aux Meadows, Canada. Eight complete house sites and artifacts were discovered and declared to be a Norse village. It is the only confirmed Norse site in North America. We now know this to be Leif Eriksson's Vinland.
As a final acknowledgement of Leif's amazing life and discovery, the United State's Congress officially declared October 9th to be annually celebrated as Leif Eriksson Day in commemoration of the first European to set foot on North American soil.
Monument to commemorate Leif Eriksson at Lake Superior, USA