Proclamation 5547 --
Leif Erikson Day, 1986
October 9, 1986
By
the President of the United States of
America
A
Proclamation
Millions
of people in the United States trace their origins to
the Nordic countries. Their ancestors came here in search of new land, new
opportunity, and the ability to work and prosper in this land of freedom and
justice. Courage and an adventurous spirit brought them here; strength and
determination have brought success to a great many. Those characteristics well
describe Leif Erikson, the first Nordic we know to
have visited North
America.
Leif
Erikson was sent by King Olav in the year 1000 to
convert the Nordic settlers of southern Greenland to Christianity; he
also sailed much farther west and came upon a new land. ``Leif the Lucky,'' as
he was known, described North America for his countrymen, and kindled the
enthusiasm that brought other European explorers, missionaries, settlers, and
adventurers to North America in the years to follow. Today, the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are intertwined with
the American culture and are an important part of our national heritage. The
Nordic people have added their traditions of courage and adventure to our
national characteristics, giving us pride in the knowledge that the spirit of
Leif Erikson still lives among all Americans.
In
honor of Leif Erikson and the heritage of America's
Nordic people, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on September 2,
1964 (78 Stat. 849, 36 U.S.C. 169c), has authorized the President to proclaim
October 9 of each year as ``Leif Erikson Day.''
Now,
Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of
America, do hereby designate October
9, 1986,
as Leif Erikson Day, and I direct the appropriate
government officials to display the flag of the United States on all government
buildings on that day. I also invite the people of the United States to honor Leif Erikson and our Nordic-American heritage by holding
appropriate exercises and ceremonies in suitable places throughout the land.
In
Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of October, in the
year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and
eleventh.
Ronald
Reagan
[Filed
with the Office of the Federal Register, 2:13 p.m., October
9, 1986]