[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2017)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 47951-47952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22424]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 47951]]


                Proclamation 9657 of October 6, 2017

                
Leif Erikson Day, 2017

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than a thousand years ago, explorer Leif Erikson--
                son of Iceland and grandson of Norway--sailed with his 
                crew to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and perhaps even as 
                far west as Maine. These intrepid explorers were likely 
                the first Europeans to reach our great home, North 
                America. On Leif Erikson Day, we celebrate their 
                remarkable journey and the brave Viking culture that 
                lies at the core of the New World's passion for 
                discovery and determination to tackle unimaginable 
                challenges.

                Throughout our country's history, Nordic Americans have 
                made notable contributions to our society. From the 
                everyday to the extraordinary, Nordic accomplishments 
                have touched every aspect of our lives. We owe our 
                hamburgers to Danish-American Louis Lassen, and the 
                famed St. Louis Arch to Finnish-American Eero Saarinen. 
                Norwegian-American and cartoonist Charles M. Schulz 
                brought us the Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of 
                the iconic Peanuts comic strip, and Finnish-American 
                John Morton signed the Declaration of Independence.

                Today, we take pride in our strong relationship with 
                the Nordic countries. In 2016, we exported $11 billion 
                in goods to the Nordics, and our trading partnerships 
                in the region are only growing stronger. The Nordics 
                are also staunch allies in the war on terrorism and are 
                valued members of the Global Coalition to Defeat the 
                Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. We share in their 
                sorrow from suffering caused by terrorists in places 
                like Turku, Stockholm, and Oslo. We stand together with 
                the Nordic people in solidarity against the threat of 
                terrorism. As we strive for peace, prosperity, and 
                security, we will work to ensure that our relationship 
                with the Nordic countries continues to reflect the 
                indomitable spirit of Leif Erikson.

                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, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2017, as 
                Leif Erikson Day. I call upon all Americans to 
                celebrate the achievements and contributions of Nordic 
                Americans to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, 
                activities, and programs.

[[Page 47952]]

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

[FR Doc. 2017-22424
Filed 10-12-17; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F8-P