[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 200 (Wednesday, October 16, 2013)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62311-62312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-24501]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 200 / Wednesday, October 16, 2013 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62311]]


                Proclamation 9037 of October 8, 2013

                
Leif Erikson Day, 2013

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than a millennium ago, Leif Erikson, a son of 
                Iceland and grandson of Norway, cast off from Norway's 
                familiar shores and set sail for Greenland. Erikson and 
                his crew were not aiming to make history. But their 
                ship drifted off course in the North Atlantic, and they 
                landed in present-day Canada, making them the first 
                Europeans known to visit North America. Their 
                settlement, Vinland, sustained them in the following 
                months. And when the seafarers returned to Greenland, 
                they brought stories of discovery with them and forged 
                the first link in a chain that has connected our 
                continents ever since.

                Today, we commemorate Leif Erikson's journey. We also 
                honor a group of Norwegian immigrants who summoned that 
                same striving spirit centuries later. Together, in 
                1825, they braved uncertain waters with hope in their 
                hearts, confident that greater opportunity and brighter 
                horizons awaited them on American shores. The travelers 
                were among the first to complete the voyage from Norway 
                to New York City. And just as Leif Erikson had, they 
                lit the way for generations to follow.

                These stories reaffirm that America has always been a 
                place of unbounded promise. We are home to explorers 
                and entrepreneurs, immigrants and innovators. We 
                endeavor to be a country where anyone who is willing to 
                work hard and take risks can turn even the most 
                improbable idea into something great. On Leif Erikson 
                Day, we celebrate that legacy and the countless 
                Norwegian Americans who have lived it, and we carry it 
                forward in the years ahead.

                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, 
                2013, 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 62312]]

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

[FR Doc. 2013-24501
Filed 10-15-13; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F4