Leif Erikson Day is celebrated on October 9th each year, and I aim to raise awareness of this explorer's legacy through my artwork. The 2024 Leif Erikson Day logo is inspired by his remarkable journey, featuring his ship cutting through the turbulent North Atlantic, symbolizing determination and adventure. Erikson’s pioneering spirit, driven by a desire to explore and expand his horizons, led him on this perilous voyage. The three stars in the design represent Norway, Iceland, and the United States, while the red, white, and blue colors reflect the shared hues of the American and Norwegian flags.

Leif Erikson's journey embodies the spirit that has shaped America, where the desire to explore and understand is central to our national identity. By commemorating Leif Erikson Day, we honor the boldness of this son of Iceland and grandson of Norway. We evoke memories of the courageous Viking seafarers, who saw the sea not as a boundary but as a gateway to new worlds. We also pay tribute to their descendants, who, centuries later, braved their own ocean journeys to seek a new life in the New World. This adventurous spirit has remained a key element of the American character since the nation’s earliest days. Moreover, the people of the Nordic countries brought with them other important values: ingenuity, self-reliance, determination, hard work, a love of freedom, and a belief in human dignity.