Leif Erikson

Leif Eriksson (Icelandic: Leif Eiriksson, * around 970 in Iceland, † 1020 ) was an Icelandic explorer. His nickname is " the lucky one ".

Discovery of America

Leif Eriksson was probably born around 970, the son of Erik the Red and his wife Thjodhild (possibly before baptism Thorhild ). Since the acquisition of land in Greenland began around 986, it is likely the suspected birth date of a birth in Iceland. His parents met on the island.

The Discovery of America by Leif Eriksson is portrayed differently in the two " Vinland Sagas":

According to Eirik's saga RAUDA he drives around the year 1000 from Greenland to Norway, there to be recorded in the royal court. Once this has been achieved, he discovers on his return to Greenland unknown land, rescues also still shipwrecked and converted after his arrival the Grænlendingar to Christianity. In another trip to the newly discovered land Leif explored further with other areas along the North American coast, including Helluland, Markland and finally Vinland. The geographical allocation of these areas is controversial. Based on the findings in L' Anse aux Meadows Vinland is often equated with Newfoundland.

According to the saga Grænlendinga (Greenland Saga ) Bjarni Herjolfsson discovered these areas, as it seeks to Greenland, where he latter is known only from descriptions. Bjarni Herjolfsson but does not go into the newly discovered areas on land. After Leif Eriksson learns from the fields, he undertakes a journey there and wintered there as well. Because he, unlike Bjarni Herjolfsson also enters the country and researched, he is regarded as the discoverer of these areas.

The discovery is also mentioned by Adam of Bremen in Gesta Pontificum Hammaburgensis ecclesiae.

That of that fertile country which discovered the Grænlendingar in the west and Vinland call, lay on the North American continent and the Scandinavians thus America, more precisely reached Newfoundland, is now secured archaeologically. Of the 1978 UNESCO World Heritage Site remains of a Scandinavian settlement testify in Newfoundland at L' Anse aux Meadows. The mostly viewed as a forgery Vinland Map has no historical source value. The information which it contains, are already known from written sources.

Figure panel of Hoetger at the house of the carillon in Bremen

The controversial Vinland Map

Honors

• Iceland's international airport in Keflavík named " Leif Eiriksson ".
• The " Leif Eriksson Day" is on October 9 and is often celebrated by Scandinavian youngsters on the last day of school before the holidays.
• To commemorate his discoveries is in südgrönlandischem Brattahlid, today Qassiarsuk, a bronze statue of Leif Eriksson. This statue is a replica of Leif Eriksson statue of Shilshole ( Ballard's Shilshole Marina) in Seattle, WA (USA).