Everyone knows who Christopher Columbus is and why some honor him. He is celebrated for “discovering" the New World. But Columbus is not the person who deserves credit for this feat.

The man we should be honoring is Leif Ericson. His holiday is October 9th, but every year it comes and goes without any fanfare. No one has Leif Ericson parades, and few study Leif Ericson in school. In fact, the day is hardly marked on any calendars. Yet, Ericson beat out Columbus by nearly half a millennium.

Ericson's accomplishments have received official approval, and yet still many do not know who he is. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson, backed by a unanimous Congress, proclaimed October 9th "Leif Ericson Day" in commemoration of the first arrival of a European on North American soil.

The Norwegian Ericson, a native of Iceland who grew up in Greenland, landed in North America around the year 1000. He arrived in Canada, first landing on Baffin Island, which he called Helluland (Flat Rock Land), then Labrador, which he called Markland (Woodland), and finally Newfoundland, which he called Vinland (Wineland or Pastureland).

Ericson and the other Vikings stayed for the winter and then returned to Iceland or Greenland. Other Vikings made other attempts to settle in North America, but failed due to friction with the Native Americans. The Vikings only made a few other trips to North America, and their discovery remained largely unknown to the rest of Europe for hundreds of years.

Ericson should not be in the shadows of history. His life should be celebrated. His accomplishments should be studied. When we think of the European discovery of the New World, we should not think of the mercenary Columbus with the financial backing of the Spanish throne, but of the Viking and adventurer Leif Ericson.