Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Presidential Documents 47951 

Proclamation 9657 of October 6, 2017 

Leif Erikson Day, 2017 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

More than a thousand years ago, explorer Leif Erikson—son of Iceland 

and grandson of Norway—sailed with his crew to Newfoundland, Nova 

Scotia, and perhaps even as far west as Maine. These intrepid explorers 

were likely the first Europeans to reach our great home, North America. 

On Leif Erikson Day, we celebrate their remarkable journey and the brave 

Viking culture that lies at the core of the New World’s passion for discovery 

and determination to tackle unimaginable challenges. 

Throughout our country’s history, Nordic Americans have made notable 

contributions to our society. From the everyday to the extraordinary, Nordic 

accomplishments have touched every aspect of our lives. We owe our hamburgers to Danish-American Louis Lassen, and the famed St. Louis Arch 

to Finnish-American Eero Saarinen. Norwegian-American and cartoonist 

Charles M. Schulz brought us the Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest 

of the iconic Peanuts comic strip, and Finnish-American John Morton signed 

the Declaration of Independence. 

Today, we take pride in our strong relationship with the Nordic countries. 

In 2016, we exported $11 billion in goods to the Nordics, and our trading 

partnerships in the region are only growing stronger. The Nordics are also 

staunch allies in the war on terrorism and are valued members of the 

Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. We share 

in their sorrow from suffering caused by terrorists in places like Turku, 

Stockholm, and Oslo. We stand together with the Nordic people in solidarity 

against the threat of terrorism. As we strive for peace, prosperity, and security, 

we will work to ensure that our relationship with the Nordic countries 

continues to reflect the indomitable spirit of Leif Erikson. 

To honor Leif Erikson and celebrate our Nordic-American heritage, the Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 88–566) approved on September 2, 

1964, has authorized the President of the United States to proclaim October 

9 of each year as ‘‘Leif Erikson Day.’’ 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2017, 

as Leif Erikson Day. I call upon all Americans to celebrate the achievements 

and contributions of Nordic Americans to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs. 


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47952 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 197 / Friday, October 13, 2017 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of 

October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-second. 

[FR Doc. 2017–22424 

Filed 10–12–17; 11:15 am] 

Billing code 3295–F8–P 


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