Leif Erikson Day, 2012

Proclamation 8885 of October 9, 2012

Leif Erikson Day, 2012

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Leif Erikson--son of Iceland and grandson of Norway--
crossed the North Atlantic more than 1,000 years ago to
land on the shores of present-day Canada. His arrival
marked the first known European encounter with North
America and began a legacy of daring exploration that
would help define the character of our Nation. Today,
we celebrate not only Leif Erikson and Nordic-American
culture, but also those men and women who boldly reach
for the next great discovery.

More than 800 years after that first excursion, a ship
called Restauration set sail in Erikson's wake with the
eyes and hearts of its passengers set on American
shores. The Norwegians who disembarked in New York City
on October 9, 1825, were the first large group of
immigrants to arrive in the United States from Norway.
On Leif Erikson Day, we commemorate their journey and
celebrate the many contributions and accomplishments of
their descendants.

Famed adventurers like Leif Erikson still spur our
limitless desire to push toward new frontiers and shed
light on the unknown. Today, the United States is
driving extraordinary innovation in all realms of
science and technology, setting out on modern
expeditions to research and preserve the Arctic and
Antarctic, and even sending robotic explorers to the
surface of Mars. As we strive for an ever brighter
future, may we continue to be inspired by the rugged
determination that motivated our forebears, and may the
same spirit of exploration guide our progress in the
years to come.

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

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9,
2012, as Leif Erikson Day. I call upon all Americans to
observe this day with appropriate ceremonies,
activities, and programs to honor 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 two
thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.