VIKING MILLENNIUM

left: One of the worthy drengs (sailors) next to the Norseman.

One thousand years ago, as the first millennium drew to a close, much of 10th century Europe concerned itself with the coming of the anti-Christ and the end of the world. Believe it or not, in preparation, some people actually bought coffins and slept in them at the year's end. Having survived the dawn of the year 1000, people turned their attention forward and the spark of the Renaissance was born. Like any fire, it's flame was greedy, eager to cut down the past and form it anew.

The close of the second millennium has brought us into the Information Age. As explorers of our own future we can also explore and celebrate the past. Time isn't the only important millennial celebration in the year 2000. The year marks the first millennium for discovery of the New World.

October 9, 2000 marks the 1000 year anniversary of the first documented European to set foot in North America. According to the Icelandic sagas, which give detailed descriptions about Leif Ericson's travels, in 1000, Leif landed and wintered in ŒVinland' with a party of adventurers from Greenland.

Circa 860, Vikings colonized Iceland. In 876 Gunnbjorn Ulfsson sighted Greenland. Leif's father, Erik the Red (Eirikr raudi) was outlawed in Iceland for presumably using his sword in a pagan way for settling personal disputes. Erik fled Iceland and established a colony on the west coast of Greenland in 986. The colony grew to approximately 330 farm sites. Circa 987-990, while sailing en route to Greenland from Iceland, Bjarni Herjofsson's ship was blown off course and he sighted what is now Labrador, Canada. He did not land, but turned back to Greenland and reported his tale to Erik. Erik's son, Leif, "The Lucky", with a crew of 35 men set sail west about the year 1000 in search of Bjarni's sighting. He landed in what is now believed to be Newfoundland. Two years later, Leif's brother, Thorwald set sail with 30 men and remained in Vinland for a year. Details of these accounts, paying special attention to the explorations, are found in the Vinland Sagas. "Graenlendinga Saga" was written near 1190 and "Eirik's Saga" is believed to have been written in 1260.

Archeologists, Helge an Anne Stine Ingstad discovered the remains of a Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada. The artifacts they found were carbon dated to circa 1000.

It is interesting to note that according to Christopher Columbus's own logs, he sailed to Iceland in 1477 to study the Icelandic sagas. Later in 1492 he rediscovered the New World. Just over 500 years later a year long celebration marking the Leif Ericson Millennium is getting underway.

Many events celebrating Viking achievements and culture are being planned independently throughout the United States, Canada, Greenland, and the Nordic countries by various organizations from governments to societies and individuals. The Leif Ericson Millennium Committee (LEMC) has a calendar of events for the whole year beginning October 9, 1999. The LEMC is a non-profit organization who's sole purpose is to coordinate, promote, publicize and sponsor events which acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of Leif Ericson and the Vikings during the millennium. By promoting "All Things Viking", the goal is to increase knowledge and understanding of Ericson's discovery voyage, Viking settlements and Nordic culture in North America. The LEMC acts as a clearing house for information on celebrations, programs and events being held and maintains an informative, educational website.

The website http://www.VikingsSail2000.org is a vault of information with more details on the LEMC and how you can become involved in many grass roots programs to increase recognition of Leif Ericson. It includes a brief history, a calendar of events and activities planned for the celebration and many links.

Some things to look forward to are a Viking balloon in Macy's New Year's Day Parade and a Viking float for the Rose Bowl Parade and the summer 2000 Viking Exhibition at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC. August through October events include a Viking relay run from L'anse Aux Meadows in Newfoundland to Philadelphia. Participants will carry a Viking broadaxe for a part of the distance or accompany the relay axebearers. Cash prizes will be awarded for various classes of runners, distances and speeds. Also look for Viking Biking.

For the crowning touch, Viking ships from all nations are invited to set sail for North America in the summer of 2000 to join in commemorating the voyage of Leif Ericson to North America in 1000. Viking ships and their crews will assemble at L'Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland by the first week in August, 2000. They will take part in a Viking Grand Encampment and Viking Village program called "Vinland 1000", planned by The Viking Trail Tourism Association of Canada. Then they will set sail down the east coast of Canada and the US in a voyage whose theme is "In Search of Vinland". Every weekend they will land at a major city.

Harbor events and festivals will be planned at each city to welcome the vising Vikings and highlight their presence. The voyagers will land at New York City by Sept.30 and then sail on to Philadelphia, landing by October 7 to take part in a planned Viking Encampment and Scandinavian Festival. The ten-week long event should paint a dramatic picture and drive home the discovery of North America by Vikings one thousand years ago. The Viking's progress may be followed via the Internet and the Media for those not near the coast or in the home countries of the sailors.

October of 2000 will be a Viking paradise in Philadelphia. A World Viking Assembly will take place with ships, clubs, re-enactors and enthusiasts. The World Viking Symposium is planned for October 7th under the direction of Bernard Wailes, PH.D., of the University of Pennsylvania Museum.

Click here to see the Leif Erickson Millennium Celebration Calander of Events or Click here to see the Viking Sail Calander for 2000