[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 15, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 61759-61760]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24574]


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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 199 / Wednesday, October 15, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 61759]]

                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.

[[Page 61760]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2014-24574
Filed 10-14-14; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F5