[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 197 (Wednesday, October 13, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63035-63036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-25967]



[[Page 63033]]

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Part III





The President





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Proclamation 8581--Leif Erikson Day, 2010



Proclamation 8582--General Pulaski Memorial Day, 2010
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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 197 / Wednesday, October 13, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 63035]]

                Proclamation 8581 of October 8, 2010

                
Leif Erikson Day, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over 1,000 years ago, the lure of discovery led Leif 
                Erikson--a son of Iceland and grandson of Norway--and 
                his crew on an ambitious exploration of present-day 
                Greenland and Canada. Centuries later, after a months-
                long ocean voyage, a group of Norwegians landed in New 
                York City on October 9, 1825, the first large group of 
                immigrants to arrive in the United States from Norway. 
                To commemorate that event and pay tribute to our rich 
                Nordic-American heritage, we celebrate Leif Erikson Day 
                in honor of the first European known to set foot on 
                North American soil more than a millennium ago.

                Countless immigrants who crossed the Atlantic on 
                voyages to the New World looked to Leif Erikson as a 
                symbol of fortitude and a hero who did not turn back in 
                the face of danger and uncertainty. Leif Erikson's bold 
                courage echoes in the daring and intrepid spirit of the 
                pioneers who built and shaped our young country, and in 
                the determination, self-reliance, and innovation of the 
                Nordic settlers who made enduring contributions to the 
                American character. Today, Nordic Americans 
                immeasurably enrich our national life as neighbors and 
                leaders in communities across America.

                Guided by the strength and resolve of Leif Erikson and 
                the countless Nordic immigrants who came in his wake, 
                let us steadfastly reach for the promise of tomorrow. 
                It is their spirit of exploration and progress that 
                helped forge our great country, and that will continue 
                to guide us as we strive for a better and brighter 
                future.

                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 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, 
                2010, 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.

[[Page 63036]]

                 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-25967
Filed 10-12-10; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P