TODAY in HISTORY (9 October): The first European to set foot on American soil was in 1000 AD
Leif Erikson (970–1020 AD), son of Erik the Red, is regarded today as the first European to set foot on the American continent in 1000 AD.
In Medieval Europe, Leif Erikson’s discovery of Vinland seemed to be general knowledge as different European writers mentioned distant lands to the west. Some also believed that the knowledge of Vinland was well established in the European ports of the 15th century and that Christopher Columbus act on this knowledge.
If this is true, the voyage of Leif Erikson is still affecting the world of today. Who was he and what happened?
Leif’s grandfather, Thorvald Asvaldsson, was banished from Norway to Iceland on the charge of manslaughter. His father, Erik the Red, was expelled from Iceland after killing his neighbour in a fight. Leaving Iceland, Erik sailed west and discovered land which he called Greenland – the purpose of the name was to attack settlers. It is believed that Leif was born in Greenland.
Leif, who was an explorer by heart, heard a story from a merchant, Bjarni Herjólfsson, that he saw a land mass further west when his ship was blown off course.
Bjarni also mentioned that he did not make landfall there. Intrigued by the story, Leif bought Bjarni’s ship and gathered a crew of 35 men. He carefully followed Bjarni’s route in reverse until he spotted the land mass.
Unlike Bjarni, Leif made landfall on 9 October 1000 at a desolated place which he called Helluland - meaning Flat-Rock (possibly Baffin Island).
His second landing was further south in a forested place which he named Markland – meaning Forest Land (possibly Labrador). Winter approached and after two more days of sailing they made camp at a place with plenty supply of salmon. Later visitors from Greenland called the camp site Leifsbúðir (Leif's Booths).
During their winter stay, Leif sent out parties to explore the rest of the land.
They discover that the area was full of vines and grapes and called it Vinland.
The location is not sure, but it is believed to be both Newfoundland and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence as far as New Brunswick where the grapevines were found. Some pointed to L'Anse aux Meadows as Leif’s camp, but it might only be the site for ship repairs.
When the Spring arrived in Vinland, Leif returned to Greenland with a cargo of grapes and timber.
After his time in Vinland, Leif never returned to North American shores.
His brother Thorvald returned, and it was he who first reported the contact between the Norseman and the indigenous people.
This contact resulted in hostility and killings, which caused that no permanent Norse settlements were created in Vinland. It did not stop the Greenland colony to make sporadic voyages to Markland for forages, timber, and trade.
In 1925 President Calvin Coolidge admitted to a Minnesota crowd that Leif Eriksson was the first European to discover America.
Four years late Wisconsin passed a billed to make 9 October “Leif Erikson day.” This was followed by Congress in 1964 when they approved a resolution to acknowledge “Leif Erikson Day.”
Sources:
http://www.history.com/topics/exploration/leif-eriksson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leif_Erikson
Very interesting... but the existence of grape vines sort of implies some sort of cultivation... the locals ..would that be the red indian, growing grapes??
No cultivation. Those were vines growing in the wild.
I love this story @krabgat
Thanks