Scandinavians in America
Emigration by
Norwegians to North
America began in 1825;
over five million
Scandinavians arrived
in this country before
the first world war.
This picture shows
emigrants in Oslo
leaving for America.
Scandinavians in America
Distribution of
Norwegian
immigrants in the
United States.
The other
Scandinavian
groups tended to
settle in the same
areas.
Scandinavians in America
Norwegian settlers in
front of their sod house in
North Dakota in 1898.
This sod house was used
as the basis for the design
of the Homestead Act
Commemorative Stamp in
1962. This photograph
was also used by Norway
on its postage stamp in
1975, to commemorate
the sesquicentennial of
Norwegian emigration to
America.
Early life for Scandinavian
settlers in the upper Midwest.
Viking Revival
Vikings were portrayed as
bloodthirsty and violent until the 19th
century when public perceptions
changed, both in the UK and the US.
They became seen as civilized, and
even as an example of Victorian
values. Queen Victoria's court
embraced the trend. There were
claims that Victoria was descended
from Ódinn, that the entire royal
family was related to Ragnarr HairyBreeches; and that Danish King
Haraldr Bluetooth was an ancestor of
the Danish-born Princess of Wales.
"The Funeral of a Viking" (1893)
by Frank Bernard Dicksee:
Romanticism and traditional stories
influenced Victorian fantasy as a
genre.
The Historical Society Fancy Dress
Ball, Ottawa, February 17, 1896
Scandinavians in America
The Viking
This is an exact replica of
the Gokstad ship, which
was excavated in Norway in
1880. The Viking was built
in 1892-3 in Norway and
sailed to New York and on
to Chicago via the Erie
Canal for the World’s
Columbian Exposition,
celebrating Columbus’s
discovery of the New
World.
Scandinavians in America
The Viking
Image of the ship on a
5 cent postage stamp
from 1925,
commemorating the
Centennial of NorseAmerican emigration.
Americans in Scandinavia
Leifur Eiríksson
The Statue in
Reykjavik was a gift
from the people of
the United States to
the people of Iceland.
It stands in front of
the Hallgrímskirkja,
the largest church in
Iceland, on a hill
overlooking
downtown Reykjavik.
Americans in Scandinavia
Inscription:
LEIFR EIRICSSON
SON OF ICELAND
DISCOVERER OF VINLAND
THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA
TO THE PEOPLE OF ICELAND
ON THE ONE THOUSANDTH
ANNIVERSARY OF THE
ALTHING
A.D. 1930
Rune Stones in America
The Kensington Rune Stone
Swedish immigrant Olof Olsson Ohman
asserted that he found the stone in rural
Minnesota late in 1898 while clearing his land
of trees and stumps before plowing. Although
locals declared the find genuine, certain
evidence of a Norse presence in Minnesota in
the late middle ages, linguists examining the
runes have determined it to be a hoax.
It is a good example of national romanticism,
a desire to link the history of America more
closely with northern Europe.
Rune Stones in America
• The Kensington Rune Stone
"Eight Goths and 22 Norwegians on a
journey of exploration from Vinland very
far west. We had camp by two rocky islands
one day's journey north from this stone. We
were out fishing one day. After we came
home we found ten men red with blood and
dead. AVM save from evil. Have ten men by
the sea to look after our ships fourteen days'
journey from this island. Year 1362"
Rune Stones in America
• The Heavener Rune Stone, before it was encased.
Rune Stones in America
• The Heavener Runestone
• http://www.kotv.com/okt/runestones.asp
Located in southeastern
Oklahoma, the stone is
now encased behind
glass in a small building.
The area around the
stone has been made a
State Park.
Viking Imagery in America
Released 1958
Released 1989
Viking Imagery in America
The 13th Warrior, released 1999
Released 2007
Viking Imagery in America
Released 1999
Released 2005
Viking Imagery in America
Released 2010
Released 2009
Viking Imagery in America
Vikings is a Canadian-Irish historical drama series created for the
History Channel; it premiered in 2013. Filmed in Ireland, Vikings is
inspired by the sagas about the Viking Ragnar Lothbrok, a
legendary Norse hero and the scourge of England and France.
Vikings in America
• Hägar – He's traveled to newspapers in 58
countries! He speaks 13 languages! And has
worldwide recognition! He's Hagar the Horrible, the
world's most popular Viking! Created in 1973 by
Dik Browne, and now in the hands of his son Chris,
this lovable Viking has developed a loyal following
in more than 1,900 papers. And each day millions
of faithful fans read about his adventures. It's all
part of what made Hagar the Horrible an instant hit
since he first set sail.
Hägar the Horrible
Hägar the Horrible
The Mighty Thor
Marvel Comics
The Mighty Thor
Marvel Comics
Vikings in America
Ragnar, the official mascot of
the Minnesota Vikings is on the
left. By the way, he holds the
current world record for fastest
shave of a full beard using an
axe – a little over 8 minutes.
The Vinland Map
Emigration by
Norwegians to North
America began in 1825;
over five million
Scandinavians arrived
in this country before
the first world war.
This picture shows
emigrants in Oslo
leaving for America.
http://webexhibits.org/vinland/
Vikingfest in Waco
• http://www.vikingfest.com/
The Vikingfest in Waco
is one of dozens of
cultural festivals
honoring ScandinavianAmericans. Many, if not
most, of such groups use
the Viking as an icon of
Nordic culture.
Viking Reenactments
Viking reenactors
at the Vikingfest in
San Antonio a few
years ago. One
can find all
necessary Viking
gear on the Web.
Viking Supplies
Wiking Helmet (Viking)You think you're Thor... I'm so thor I
can... Whoops! I kinda forgot where I was for a minute. Our
Wiking Helmet is crafted of fine plastic and the horns flip to suit
your mood, One size fits most (To about a men's 7-1/2+ I'm
guessing) Hornal Adjustment
Frugal Viking Helmet Got a whole raiding party to equip on a
limited budget? Then our Frugal Viking Helmet may be the
answer, Heavy plastic with horns that swivel, One size (To about a
men's 7-3/8 I'm guessing)
Deluxe Fur Trimmed Viking Helmet The pinnacle of Viking couture. Our
Deluxe Fur Trimmed Viking Helmet features a heavy plastic body with
repositionable fur trimmed plastic horns. Foam sweatband. Fits to XL,
Approx. 15-1/2" wide x 11" tall (Horns up)
Hats from: http://www.islandmadness.com/
Viking Supplies
museumreplicas.com
offers a functional replica of a
Viking sword for about $450.
Excavations of a number of circa
850-900 Viking swords turned up this
specimen in Finland. It has the lobed
pommel loved by the Norsemen, but
the cross guard contrasts slightly
with the typical down-curved
versions. The early style blade is
well-suited to the quick, slashing
blows of the Viking warrior. Our
version is made by Windlass
Steelcrafts® of high carbon
Damascus (pattern-welded) steel.