Leif Erikson Timeline

(c. 970 AD - c. 1020 AD)

Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer from Iceland, son of Erik the Red, who is widely credited as the first European to set foot in North America, landing in a region he called Vinland (likely Newfoundland, Canada) around 1000 AD, nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus. More Less

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Life of Leif Erikson

Erik the Red's family exiled to Iceland

960

When Erik the Red was young, his father was banished from Norway for manslaughter, and the family went into exile in Iceland, which during the preceding century had been colonized by Norsemen mainly from Norway. This set the stage for the birth of Erik's son, Leif Erikson.

Birth of Leif Erikson

970

Leif Erikson, also known as Leif the Lucky, was born in Iceland around the 970s. He would grow up to become a Norse explorer who is thought to have been the first European to set foot on continental America, approximately half a millennium before Christopher Columbus.

L'Anse aux Meadows occupied

990 - 1050

The site known as L'Anse aux Meadows, with carbon dating estimates of 990–1050 CE and tree-ring analysis dating to the year 1021, has been suggested as possibly being Leifsbudir, the settlement associated with Leif Erikson's expedition.

Image source: Leif Erikson

Leif's voyage to Vinland

1000

Leif Erikson sailed to Vinland, usually interpreted as coastal North America, making him thought to be the first European to set foot on continental America. Accounts of the voyage are preserved in the Saga of Erik the Red and the Saga of the Greenlanders.

Death of Erik the Red

1000

The winter following Leif's return from Vinland, his father Erik the Red died shortly after 1000 CE, making Leif paramount chief in Greenland.

Leif Erikson last mentioned alive

1018

Leif Erikson is last mentioned alive in 1018 in the Saga of St. Olaf, marking the latest point at which he is known to have been living. He is thought to have died sometime between 1018 and 1025.

Thorkell inherits the chieftaincy

1025

According to The Saga of the Sworn Brothers, by 1025 the chieftaincy of Eiríksfjǫrðr had passed to Leif's son Thorkell, indicating that Leif had died by that time.

Sporadic Norse voyages to Markland

1025 - 1500

Although there were no permanent Norse settlements in the Americas, sporadic voyages at least to Markland for forages, timber and trade possibly lasted for centuries after Leif's expeditions.

Historical Records

Adam of Bremen records Vinland

1075

Adam of Bremen's historical treatise, written around 1075, contains one of the only known strictly historical mentions of Vinland, based upon reports from the Danes, though the reference is merely passing.

Book of Icelanders mentions Vinland

1122

The Book of Icelanders, written around 1122 by Ari the Wise, contains one of the only known strictly historical mentions of Vinland, though like Adam of Bremen's account it is merely a passing reference.

Sagas of Erik the Red and Greenlanders written

1200

The Saga of Erik the Red and the Saga of the Greenlanders, both thought to have been written around 1200, contain detailed but sometimes conflicting accounts of the voyages to Vinland, usually interpreted as coastal North America.

Columbus may have heard Vinland stories in Iceland

1477

It has been suggested that knowledge of Vinland might have been maintained in European seaports in the 15th century, and that Christopher Columbus, who claimed in a letter to have visited Iceland in 1477, could have heard stories of it.

Commemorations and Monuments

First Erikson statue erected in Boston

1887

The first statue of Erikson, by Anne Whitney, was erected in Boston in 1887 at the instigation of Eben Norton Horsford, who believed Vinland could have been located on the Charles River or Cape Cod. Not long after, another casting of Whitney's statue was erected in Milwaukee.

Erikson statue commissioned for World's Columbian Exposition

1893 - 1901

A statue of Leif Erikson was commissioned for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition to coincide with the arrival of the reconstructed Viking ship from Bergen, Norway. It was erected in Chicago in 1901.

Coolidge affirms Leif as discoverer of America

1925

For the centenary of the first official immigration of Norwegians to America, President Calvin Coolidge stated at the 1925 Minnesota State Fair, to a crowd of 100,000 people, that Leif had indeed been the first European to discover America.

Wisconsin establishes Leif Erikson Day

Oct 9, 1929

In 1929, the Wisconsin Legislature passed a bill to make 9 October Leif Erikson Day in the state. Thanks to Hoen of Edgerton, Wisconsin, 9 October was settled upon as it was already a historic date for Norwegians in America — the ship Restaurationen having arrived in New York Harbor on that day in 1825 with the first organized party of Norwegian immigrants. Several other states later adopted similar laws.

Image source: Leif Erikson Day

Reykjavík statue erected as US gift to Iceland

1930

In 1930, a statue of Leif was erected in the city center of Reykjavík, Iceland, currently situated in front of Hallgrímskirkja, as a gift from the United States to Iceland to commemorate the 1,000 year anniversary of Alþingi, the parliament of Iceland.

Federal observance of Leif Erikson Day in 1935

1935

Legislation was introduced to the United States Congress in 1935 requesting federal observance of Leif Erikson Day. Before it was passed, it was amended so the observance would only occur in 1935, which it did, following a proclamation that year by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Congress authorizes annual Leif Erikson Day

1964

Proponents eventually succeeded when, in 1964, the Congress authorized and requested the president to proclaim 9 October of each year as Leif Erikson Day, making the observance an annual national event.

Cultural Legacy

Krohg painting displayed at World's Columbian Exposition

1893

The painting Leiv Eirikson Discovering America by Christian Krohg was made for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. It was later in the possession of a Leif Erikson Memorial Association in Chicago before being given back to the National Gallery of Norway in 1900.

Voyage reenactment expedition lost

1924

In 1924, a party of four consisting of a Swede, an Englishman, and two Americans attempted to emulate Leif's voyage in an eponymous 40-foot vessel but were lost after reaching the west coast of Greenland.

The Viking film released

1928

Leif Erikson is the main character in the 1928 film The Viking, a cinematic portrayal of the Norse explorer's legendary voyage to Vinland.

Leif Erikson Awards established

2015

The Leif Erikson Awards, established in 2015, are awarded annually by the Exploration Museum in Húsavík, Iceland, honoring achievements in exploration.

Key Facts

Leif Erikson was born around 970 AD in Iceland, the son of Erik the Red, the founder of the first Norse settlement in Greenland.
Around 1000 AD, Leif Erikson led an expedition that landed in North America at a place he named Vinland, believed to be at L'Anse aux Meadows in modern-day Newfoundland, Canada.
Leif's voyage to North America predates Christopher Columbus's arrival by nearly 500 years, making him the first known European to reach the continent.
According to the Sagas of Icelanders, Leif converted to Christianity while visiting Norway under King Olaf Tryggvason and later spread the faith in Greenland.
Leif Erikson Day is celebrated annually on October 9 in the United States, honoring his legacy as an early European explorer of North America.

Source

This Leif Erikson timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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