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LEIF ERIKSON DAY TODAY!

Today has been proclaimed “Leif Erikson Day” by US President Barack Obama to honor our country’s rich Nordic-American heritage.

Our US Congress passed a Resolution identifying October 9 as “Leif Erikson Day” and requested the US President to create the observance through an annual proclamation in 1964. President Lyndon B. Johnson and every US President since have issued such a proclamation. Presidents have used the proclamation to praise the contributions of Americans of Nordic descent generally and the spirit of discovery.

Leif Erikson is the Norse explorer who is regarded as the first European to land in North America (excluding Greenland) around 500 years before Christopher Columbus. Wikipedia offers an informative article, “Leif Ericson.”

I do think we need to clarify the identification of October 9 since it is NOT associated with any particular event in Leif Erikson’s life. Rather, the date was chosen because the ship “Restauration” which sailed from Stavanger, Norway arrived in New York Harbor on October 9, 1825 at the start of the first organized immigration from Norway to the United States. The “Restauration” carried 52 passengers many of whom were Quakers. These people are often referred to as “Sloopers” because the “Restauration” was a “sloop” (small sailing vessel used as an escort ship).

The observance of “Leif Erikson Day” on the 9th of October every year raises a question which I think needs discussion and consideration as to the identification of the 2nd Monday of October. Next Monday, October 12 is “Columbus Day.” It is a federal holiday, one of three (3) – originally 4, but Veterans Day was returned to the actual date (November 11) in 1975, effective 1978, after protests – Washington’s Birthday = President’s Day, Memorial Day and Columbus Day. The purpose of the legislation was to provide more 3-day weekends for federal employees. It was passed on June 28, 1968 and became effective on January 1, 1972.

“Leif Ericson Day” is one of the 20 special days in WI State Law which public schools are supposed to observe.

"October 9 - Leif Ericson Day (1) - Leif Ericson was born in Iceland and raised in Greenland. Norse sagas written 300 years after his death describe his explorations, around 1000 A.D. of a land he called 'Vinland.' The location of Vinland remains uncertain, but it is widely believed to be on the North American continent. Enacted May 10, 1929, from the 1929 Laws of Wisconsin, Chapter 82. (1 Spelled Erikson in Wis. Stats. 118.02 Special Observance Days.)"

WHY COLUMBUS DAY? I have been campaigning for years for a name-change to “EXPLORERS’ DAY.” After all, there were many explorers who were involved with the discovery and exploration of North America by persons from outside of North and South America. Let’s underline the FACT that the North and South American continents were inhabited with diverse, sophisticated cultures before the FOREIGNERS came. This stands in stark contrast to the attitudes and behaviors most of the FOREIGNERS who did come to North America, including Christopher Columbus.

There is significant opposition to the observance of COLUMBUS DAY. I hope you will ask yourself, “What does ‘Columbus Day’ say to Native Americans and the Hispanic people of the continents of North and South America? To gain perspective, read the “Opposition to Columbus celebrations" segment of Wikipedia’s feature article,“Columbus Day.”

Yes, “Columbus Day” is also one of the 20 days in WI State Law which public schools are supposed to observe.

"October 12 - Christopher Columbus Day (2) - At 2 a.m. on this date in 1492, the expedition led by Christopher Columbus sighted land somewhere in the Bahamas. Columbus is acclaimed for providing the initiative that brought the cultures of Africa and Europe to the Americas, linking people on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. His voyages led to widespread European exploration and settlement of the Americas. Enacted April 30, 1929, from the 1929 Laws of Wisconsin, Chapter 51. (2 Listed as Christopher Columbus' birthday in Wis. Stats. 118.02 Special Observance Days.)"

What is your perspective? “Erikson Day” and “Columbus Day” – OR – “Explorers’ Day”?

Here we go…

Mr. E.

John Eyster lives in the Edgerton area. He is an adjunct professor of political science at UW-Waukesha and an advocate for democracy/civics education in Wisconsin high schools. John is a community blogger and is not a part of Janesville Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the Janesville Gazette staff or management.