Leif Erikson Day, 1997

Proclamation 7035 of October 9, 1997

Leif Erikson Day, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans have always been a people marked by a spirit
of discovery. Generations of American explorers and
pioneers have pushed against the boundaries of the
known world, eager to see what lies beyond the next
horizon. We come by that spirit naturally, for millions
of us are descended from men and women of courage,
vision, and independence who left their native lands to
seek new possibilities in a new world.

One of the earliest of these was Leif Erikson. Almost a
thousand years ago, braving the cold and unforgiving
North Atlantic, he set out on a voyage that would
ultimately bring him to this continent and a lasting
place in history. But Leif Erikson is more than a
symbol of the pioneer spirit. He is also a powerful
reminder of the long and proud history of the sons and
daughters of Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and
Finland who endured the hardships of the American
frontier to build a new life for themselves and their
families. These immigrants from the Nordic countries,
and their descendants, have contributed immeasurably to
America's strength, character, prosperity, and
independent spirit.

Today, the people of Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark,
and Finland are our partners in building a new Europe.
Committed to democracy and self-determination, they
have always reached out to those struggling for freedom
and equality. We are proud to join them in fostering
the integration of the Baltic countries of Estonia,
Latvia, and Lithuania into the Western family of
nations. We also look forward to joining our Nordic
friends in celebrating in the year 2000 the millennial
anniversary of Leif Erikson's momentous voyage to our
shores. It is fitting that we should pay special
tribute to Leif Erikson--son of Iceland, grandson of
Norway--as we begin our own uncharted journey of
discovery into the new millennium that stretches before
us.

In honor of Leif Erikson and of our Nordic-American
heritage, the Congress, by joint resolution approved on
September 2, 1964 (Public Law 88-566), has authorized
and requested the President to proclaim October 9 of
each year as ``Leif Erikson Day.''

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9,
1997, as Leif Erikson Day. I encourage the people of
the United States to observe this occasion with
appropriate ceremonies and activities commemorating our
rich Nordic-American heritage.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen
hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of
the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-second.