[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 197 (Thursday, October 13, 1994)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 52063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-25548]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: October 13, 1994]
Presidential Documents
Proclamation 6735 of October 7, 1994
Leif Erikson Day, 1994
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Nearly a millennium has passed since Leif Erikson set
out on his voyage to explore North America, a land then
thought to be no more than an uncharted wilderness
across the waters. Filled with the same spirit of
discovery that characterized the travels of his father,
Eric the Red, who sailed from Norway to Iceland to
Greenland, the journey of Leif Erikson remains one of
history's greatest legends. To commemorate the life of
this bold adventurer and to recognize the generations
of Nordic Americans who have followed in his footsteps,
we celebrate Leif Erikson Day, 1994.
Leaving behind the ice-covered mountains of Greenland,
Erikson helped to set the stage for centuries of trans-
Atlantic exchange between his father's native Norway
and the people of the New World. Today, the United
States and the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland,
Iceland, Sweden, and Norway, enjoy cordial friendships
and are productive partners in fostering democracy and
expanding trade. Carrying forward the ideals of their
ancestors--ideals of liberty, human dignity, and self-
determination--these nations stand with the United
States in representing the freedom to which individuals
around the world aspire.
The sons and daughters of Scandinavia who immigrated to
this country in past centuries brought with them that
abiding passion for justice and equality, and their
determination to build a better life for themselves and
their children has enriched our Nation immeasurably.
For the tremendous contributions they have made to our
society, and for the many wonderful traditions that
their descendants continue to uphold, Americans across
the country join in recognizing this special day every
year.
In honor of Leif Erikson--son of Iceland, grandson of
Norway--and of the vibrant Nordic American culture that
continues to grace our Nation, the Congress, by joint
resolution approved on September 2, 1964 (Public Law
88-566), has authorized and requested the President to
designate October 9 of each year as ``Leif Erikson
Day.''
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9,
1994, as Leif Erikson Day. I encourage all Americans to
observe this occasion by learning more about our rich
Nordic-American heritage.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and nineteenth.
(Presidential Sig.)>
[FR Doc. 94-25548
Filed 10-11-94; 4:39 pm]
Billing code 3195-01-P
