Student Article

Leif Erikson, a Viking explorer from Greenland, made history around the year 1000 by becoming the first known European to reach North America. He was the son of Erik the Red, a famous settler who founded a colony in Greenland.

A journey of adventure and discovery

Inspired by tales from a sailor named Bjarni Herjólfsson, who had seen land west of Greenland, Leif decided to explore it for himself. He sailed with 35 men across the Atlantic in a Viking ship. Along the way, he saw both rocky lands and forested shores which he named Helluland ("Land of Flat Stones") and Markland ("Land of Forests").

Finding Vinland, the land of wild grapes

Eventually, Leif reached a place with a mild climate and wild berries which they called Vinland — the "Land of Wine." The Vikings built small houses and stayed there during the winter. Modern historians believe this land was near today's Newfoundland in Canada.

Leif’s forgotten journey honored today

Leif's journey was almost forgotten for centuries, but today we know he reached North America almost 500 years before Columbus. His story is remembered every October 9th on Leif Erikson Day.

© Pat Kinsella / www.historyextra.com