Leif Erikson: The True First European in America (c. 970-1020)

Leif Erikson, born around 970, was a famed Norse explorer. He is believed to be the first European to reach North America, around 1000 AD. This voyage occurred nearly 500 years before Christopher Columbus. Leif was the son of Erik the Red, the founder of Greenland's first Norse settlements. He sailed from Greenland and landed in a place he called Vinland, likely present-day Newfoundland, Canada. The Icelandic sagas detail his discovery of Vinland, describing its rich resources. Unlike Columbus, Leif's voyages did not lead to permanent European settlements. His journey was part of the Norse exploration tradition across the North Atlantic. October 9th is celebrated as Leif Erikson Day in the United States. Leif Erikson remains a symbol of early European exploration and the adventurous spirit of the Norse people.