[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 129, 114th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9344 of October 8, 2015

Leif Erikson Day, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Since our Nation's founding, we have been driven by strength in the face
of uncertainty and by a bold spirit of adventure. These defining forces
were reflected in the early discovery of our continent when Leif
Erikson--a son of Iceland and grandson of Norway--and his team became
the first Europeans known to land on North American shores. On Leif
Erikson Day, we honor him as an important piece of our shared past with
the Norwegian people, and we celebrate the perilous yet rewarding voyage
he and his crew undertook one millennium ago.
Leif Erikson's discovery marks the beginning of a meaningful friendship
between Norway and the United States, and we have seen reflections of
his team's journey throughout history. The courage that guided these
pioneers to North America was also found in the voyage of six families
who braved the unforeseen in 1825 as some of the first immigrants from
Norway to the United States. Fleeing religious strife in their homeland
in search of liberty's light, they sailed across the same ocean Erikson
traversed more than eight centuries prior. And 190 years ago, these
striving newcomers began to weave their unique threads into the fabric
of America.
Today, we pay tribute to those who embarked on these expeditions and
recognize the role they played in shaping our legacy as a Nation of
immigrants. We also reaffirm the ties that bind America and Norway and
rededicate ourselves to our common goals of securing peace and
prosperity around the world. On Leif Erikson Day, let us honor his
spirit by celebrating our past while fearlessly reaching for the future
he knew was possible.
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, 2015, 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of
October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA