[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 63201-63202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25502]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 200 / Tuesday, October 16, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 63201]]

                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.

[[Page 63202]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2012-25502
Filed 10-15-12; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F3