October 9, 2025
October 9, 2025
Leif Erikson Day is celebrated every year on October 9th, and I aim to raise awareness of this explorer’s legacy through my artwork. The 2025 Leif Erikson Day logo is inspired by the historic journey of the Restauration, which marks the 200th anniversary of its voyage to the United States in 1825. The logo depicts the ship cutting through the turbulent North Atlantic, symbolizing determination and adventure. This journey, driven by the Norwegian pioneers' desire for a better life and to expand their horizons, was a perilous voyage. The red, white, and blue colors reflect the shared hues of both the American and Norwegian flags.
Like the seafarers of the Restauration, Leif Erikson's journey embodies the spirit that shaped America, where the drive 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 also remember the courageous Viking seafarers who saw the sea not as a boundary, but as a gateway to new worlds. We pay tribute to their descendants, who, centuries later, embarked on their own ocean journeys to seek a new life in the New World. This adventurous spirit remains a core element of the American character to this day. Moreover, the people of the Nordic countries brought with them values that continue to contribute to America: ingenuity, self-reliance, determination, hard work, a love of freedom, and a belief in human dignity.
Annika Saur displaying the Leif Erikson Day 2025 Design in Leif Erikson Park | Duluth, Minnesota