Timeline Description: Leif Ericson was a Viking explorer from Norway who is said to have found North America long before Christopher Columbus. This is a timeline of his life.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 975 | Leif Ericson was born Leif Ericson was born in Norway. He had two brothers and a sister. |
| 986 | Leif's family moves to Greenland Leif's father was an outlaw and an explorer. He moved the family to Greenland where they started two colonies. |
| 999 | Leif's ship is blown off course Leif left Greenland to sail back to Norway for supplies. His ship was blown off course and he ended up in Canada. |
| 1000 | Leif finally returns to Norway Leif left Canada several months later and finally returned to Norway. In Norway he was urged to return to Greenland. |
| 1001 | Leif Ericson, the missionary Leif returned to Greenland as he had been asked. He told the people there about Christianity, and many of them converted. |
| 1002 | Another voyage west is made The people decided to find the land that Leif had discovered. They were in need of wood, so they set sail for the land to find it. |
| 1003 | Leif returns to Greenland with timber Leif found the wood he was looking for and returned to Greenland. On his journey he rescued another boat, and he was named "Leif the Lucky" for his work. |
| 1020 | Leif Ericson dies This is the year that historians believe Leif died, although there is no proof. |
| 1838 | Leif's tale reaches Americans Leif's accounts of his journeys were written in Norse. They were finally found and translated into English, and when Americans learned of the stories, Leif became famous. |
| 1867 | Viking remains found in Norway The remains of Viking ships were found in Norway. People debated about whether they were Leif's ships. |
| 1887 | A memorial of Leif Ericson is erected A Norwegian sculptor made a statue of Leif to celebrate his accomplishments. The statue stood in Boston. |
| 1963 | Viking remains found in Canada No one knew for sure where Leif's ship had landed, but archeologists found Viking remains in Newfoundland. It is generally believed that this is where he landed. |
| 1965 | Leif Ericson Day is founded October 9 is officially Leif Ericson day. It commemorates the date the first immigrant ship from Norway reached America. |
| 1997 | A memorial to immigrants from Norway A statue of Leif Ericson was built, and names of Norwegian immigrants were inscribed into the base of the statue. |
| 2010 | The numbers keep rising As of this year, 1757 names had been inscribed into the Leif Ericson statue for immigrants. |