Leif Ericson Millennium Year
A replica of a Viking longship cruises into Stockholm harbor a
millennium after the original ships sailed the seas. --photo by Dale Larson
October 9 was designated by an act of Congress as Leif Ericson Day to mark the anniversary of the Viking discovery of North America 1000 years ago. This year, Leif Ericson Day will kick off the Leif Ericson Millennium Year Celebration which runs from October 9, l999, to October 9, 2000.

The Vikings' shipbuilding skill made them the dominant sea power in Europe for three centuries (800-1100 AD) and allowed them to excel as explorers, tradesmen, and warriors. Their wooden longships, decorated with a dragon's head at the prow, were swift and maneuverable. The ships' shallow draft made it possible for the Vikings to land on any beach and navigate rivers.

To learn more about the Leif Ericson Millennium Year, visit http://www.leif2000.org on the Web.