Bush celebrates Leif Erikson as "an inspiration"

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Every year, presidents put out proclamations for the major holidays. There's one for Thanksgiving. Ramadan, Christmas and Passover get them too.

And they also issue proclamations for lesser holidays.

For those who may have missed it, today is Leif Erikson Day, as presidents have been decreeing since 1964, when Congress passed a joint resolution marking Oct. 9 as the explorer's special day of celebration.

In a proclamation issued Wednesday night, President Bush dutifully commemorated "that son of Iceland and grandson of Norway for his journey to North America" and "the influential role Nordic Americans have played in our society." He said Americans "continue to draw inspiration from the courage and optimism of the adventurous Leif Erikson."

Praising "Nordic Americans" is not as silly as the Jimmy Carter's description of the same holiday. Eager not to offend any women who might hail from the North Germanic countries, the Carter White House referred to Erikson not as a Viking or a Norseman but as a "Norse person."

As for Bush, he called for a party:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 9, 2008, as Leif Erikson Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to honor our rich Nordic-American heritage.

-- Johanna Neuman and James Gerstenzang

Photo credit: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press