October days commemorate two European explorers credited with the “finding” of the Americas. Their exploration parties, though, came 500 years apart.
After much study and debate, historians give Leif Erikson credit as the first European explorer to reach the Americas. According to historical documents, Erikson had been commissioned by Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvesson to convert the people of Greenland to Christianity.
Erikson’s ship was blown off course. He landed in a territory filled with grapes, wild wheat and maple trees.
After eventually completing his mission to Greenland, Erikson sailed west again to explore the new land. He returned home with grapes and timber. The newly found land was called Vinland.
For centuries, other Norsemen sailed to North America and established temporary settlements.
They sought timber and trade from the indigenous people, but an ancient permanent northern European presence did not take root in the “new world.”
The first official Norwegian immigrants arrived in the United States on Oct. 9, 1825. Today, our nation recognizes Oct. 9 as Leif Erikson Day in his memory.
Columbus Day, according to the practice of appointing national holidays to a Monday, is celebrated this year on Oct. 14. The purpose is to remember the landing of Columbus and his ships in the New World on Oct. 12, 1492, about five centuries after Erikson.
Columbus, an Italian sailing for Spain, was looking for a shortcut to Asia when he came upon a strange land. As with Erikson, what he saw did not conform to what he was expecting.
Columbus realized that further explorations were required. As was customary, the Spanish royalty commissioned Columbus to send along missionaries.
As a nation we reflect on the arduous journey of the historic fleet. The journey’s significance is well recognized. It opened the way for European exploration and resulted in colonization in the Americas.
European rulers engaged in a great contest for control of the American continents. Eventually, successive generations in the “new world” became disillusioned with the divine right of kings.
Succeeding colonial generations fell away from European alliances. The concept of being royal servants faded in the colonies. Primarily interested in the needs of their families, colonists became self-determined.
After a revolution, a government by the people and for the people became a uniquely new form of government in the United States. The explorations of adventurous Europeans made possible a government in which the citizens, not kings, are sovereign.
On Columbus Day, local communities focus on their cultural heritage. The day is specific to Italian-American influence but includes reflection on contributions made by all immigrants in our country.
Interestingly, Oct. 12 gives tribute to our nation’s farmers. The day was originally titled “Old Farmer’s Day.”
Those who followed the footsteps of the explorers came to new lands to settle and grow food. In the American colonies, farmers comprised 90 percent of the population.
Colonists provided corn and flour to the nearby West Indies. There was also a great demand for their wheat in Europe.
Many other poor immigrants came from Germany, Scotland and Ireland to work in industries that sprang from agriculture. Cloth manufacturing in particular needed such skilled workers.
Farmers had large families to help with the work. New farmland was required when each generation came to adulthood. Western expansion was a natural consequence.
Today, 98 percent of the nation’s farms remain family-owned, and our Central Valley has a particular concentration of agriculture. While there are many harvest festivals on various dates, October is ideal for celebrating the contributions of local farmers and laborers.
As the harvest season winds down, our shared abundant bounty is enjoyed locally, and also shipped worldwide.
Janet Miller is a freelance writer specializing in family faith. She offers Family Prayers and Activities: Weekly Guides on compact disc for families to explore the Bible together.
Email jmiller@dospalos.org.
