Leif Erikson Day, 2014

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 9189 of October 8, 2014

Leif Erikson Day, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

At a time when much of the world remained unknown, Leif
Erikson--a son of Iceland and grandson of Norway--left
his Nordic homeland and sailed westward across an
unrelenting ocean. Landing in present-day Canada more
than 1,000 years ago, Erikson and his crew became the
first Europeans known to reach North America. In this
new world, they discovered a land rich with natural
resources and established their first settlement,
Vinland. Today, we recognize their courageous spirit
and the daring exploration that forged a path for
centuries of exchange, innovation, and opportunity.

More than 800 years after this historic voyage, a group
of Norwegian immigrants boarded a ship named
Restauration, and with the same sense of hope and
determination shared by Erikson and his crew, they
crossed the Atlantic in pursuit of the freedoms
promised in America. On October 9, 1825, they arrived
in New York City, becoming the first organized group of
immigrants from Norway to reach the United States.
Together, they wrote a chapter of our two countries'
interconnected story and opened the doors to
opportunity for the hundreds of thousands of Norwegians
who would follow, enriching our communities and
bettering our Nation.

This year, we also celebrate the 200th anniversary of
the adoption of Norway's constitution, a charter
influenced by America's founding documents, and we are
reminded of the powerful bonds between our two nations
and the values and ideals our people embrace. As we
reflect on our common past, we rededicate ourselves to
preserving all that has brought us together: the story
of a fearless leader who reached for new possibilities;
our shared commitment to self-determination and
freedom; and the simple truth that has drawn immigrants
to our shores--in America, anyone who works hard should
be able to get ahead.

Today, there is more work to do to strengthen these
promises, and we require bold thinkers and explorers to
achieve what we know can be possible. The far reaches
of our universe and the depths of our oceans remain
unexplored, and the next frontiers in science,
medicine, and technology await a new generation of
innovators and entrepreneurs. As a Nation, let us carry
forward the spirit of Leif Erikson and seize the future
together.

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,
2014, 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
eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.