Vikings Discover America–Read All About it! — Dave’s Diary

“From the fury of the Norsemen, good Lord, deliver us,” acknowledged as a common prayer among the people of western Europe during the period of the Norse raiders from the late 8th century to the 11th century.  Yes the Viking were badass.  In their honor-- Happy Leif Erikson day! Oh sure, Columbus gets all the credit, all the attention and a national holiday for his discovery of North America.   But those of us with a little Scandinavian blood in us believe the honors and glory go to Icelander Leif Erikson.

It is speculated that on this date in the year 1000, Leif Erikson landed on what is now New England—just in time for those great fall leaf colors.

Nobody knows for SURE of course but us Norskie’s like to imagine “what should have been”.

So today, October 9 is Leif Erikson day and it’s no big deal compared to next Monday and Columbus Day.   But for those keeping score at home and at the fjord, Leif Erikson day comes first, just like his long boat did, 500 years BEFORE Columbus!  Skoal!

Checkout this cool trailer for the 2007 movie Pathfinder. It's a fictional account of Vikings meeting Native Americans for the first time and the sparks that flew!