Leif Ericson

Leif Ericson was a Norse explorer who led what was probably the first European expedition to the mainland of North America. He was the son of Eric the Red, who established the first settlement in Greenland. Leif Ericson became the leader of this settlement after his father's death. His life was recorded in long Icelandic stories called sagas. His name is also spelled Eriksson or Eiriksson. Ericson was born in Iceland, near what is now …

…Norwegian archaeologists found the ruins of an old Norse settlement in the early 1960's. However, other scholars believe Ericson sailed farther south, and that Vinland was near Cape Cod. Other explorers sailed from Greenland to Vinland for about 15 years after Ericson's discovery. His brother, Thorwald, was killed by an Indian on one expedition. Norse exploration of America may have ended because of Indian attacks. Leif Ericson Day is observed in the United States on October 9.