Happy Leif Eriksson Day!

Leif Eriksson Day was proclaimed as a way to honor explorer, Leif Eriksson, the first Scandinavian known to have set foot on American soil and the contribution of the Nordic peoples to the United States.

Leif Eriksson: Viking Explorer of the New World from our Great Explorers of the World series includes illustrations of the explorer, color maps to help students understand the explorer's world, and primary source documents. This book isn't just for the report writer, but it is also great for the casual reader.

So, line up some long tables and set up a banquet feast to celebrate this great explorer.

Did Leif Eriksson who traveled to Canada, beat Christopher Columbus by nearly 400 years?

October 9 every year is Leif Eriksson Day. This day was created in 1964 and chosen for its connection to the first organized immigration from Norway to the United States (the ship arrived in NY harbor on October 9 1825), but ironically not for any event in the life of the Eriksson.

There are many fascinating things to find out about the Viking explorer: Leif Eriksson was a Norse explorer who was probably the first European to land in North America. According to stories from the time, he established a Norse settlement at Vinland, which has been tentatively identified as L'Anse aux Meadows, a Norse site on the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland, Canada.

Find out more in Enslow Publishers' titles here.

On this day in 1804

The Lewis and Clark expedition left St. Louis to explore the Louisiana Territory.

On this day in history

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Philippines in 1521.

On this day in history

French explorer Robert La Salle reached the Mississippi River.

Magellan reaches the Philippines!

On this day in 1521, Magellan finally reached the Philippines, only to be killed by natives the following month.

Leif Eriksson: Viking Explorer of the New World

Did Leif Eriksson, a Viking explorer, travel from Greenland to modern day Canada in the 11th century, beating Christopher Columbus by nearly 400 years? Leif Eriksson was a Norse explorer who was probably the first European to land in North America. According to stories from the time, he established a Norse settlement at Vinland, which has been tentatively identified as L'Anse aux Meadows, a Norse site on the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland, Canada. Follow along as author Cheryl L. DeFires tells the story of the Vikings and their legendary leader, Leif Eriksson.

Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 978-1-59845-126-9
Ages 12-Up
112 Pages, Full Color

Cortés: Conquering the Powerful Aztec Empire

On November 8, 1519, Hernán Cortés entered the magnificent Aztec city of Tenochtitlán in present-day Mexico. The stone city had intricately structured canals, bridges, and floating gardens. However, Cortés had not come to the city to admire its beauty. He and his soldiers arrived to conquer it and plunder its gold. In order to achieve his goal, Cortés went to battle with Montezuma, the great Aztec ruler. When the bloody fighting ended, Cortés began building a new Spanish colony that would change the course of history in Mexico. Author: Carl R. Green.

Enslow Publishers Inc.
ISBN 978-1-59845-099-6
Ages 12-up
112 Pages, Full Color

Vasco Da Gama: Discovering the Sea Route to India

After traveling thousands of miles through wild storms and uncharted seas, with few supplies remaining, Vasco da Gama reached his destination—the coast of India. In 1498, he became the first European explorer to connect Europe and Asia by sea. Throughout his lifetime, da Gama would travel to India three times, developing trade posts, strengthening military power, and expanding the Portuguese Empire. Although he was known for his ruthless behavior, author Tony Napoli explains Vasco Da Gama's important achievements made him a national hero and one of the great explorers in world history.

Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 978-1-59845-127-6
Ages 12-up
112 Pages, Full Color

Captain Cook: Great Explorer of the Pacific

Looking out from his ship, Captain James Cook saw a field of ice disappearing into the horizon. Cook and his crew had crossed the Antarctic Circle in search of a mythical Southern Continent, but could proceed no farther. Captain Cook had sailed thousands of miles on the Pacific Ocean, exploring many Pacific islands like Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. He made charts that would be used into the twentieth century and proved no mythical continent existed. Author Stephen Feinstein examines the life of this famed British explorer.

Enslow Publishers, Inc.
ISBN 978-1-59845-102-3
Ages 12-up
112 Pages, Full Color

Pizarro: Conqueror of the Mighty Incas

In 1532, after ascending the Andes Mountains, Francisco Pizarro led his soldiers to Cajamarca, Peru, to confront the leader of the Inca Empire. Greatly outnumbered, but equipped with superior weapons, the Spaniards surprised the Incas in the town square. Pizarro won a decisive victory killing thousands of Incas. This began Pizarro’s conquest of the Inca Empire in South America. Before his death, Pizarro amassed incredible wealth plundering the Incas’ treasures and established a Spanish colony in South America. Author Liz Sonneborn examines the life of this brutal conquistador.

Enslow Publishers
ISBN 978-1-59845-128-3
For Ages 12-up
112 pages, Full Color

Happy Columbus Day!

On Oct. 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus arrived with his expedition in the present-day Bahamas so today, October 12, 2009, we celebrate his expedition. Most schools and other businesses have off today, but if you are still in school, how can you celebrate Columbus Day and teach your students about his efforts?

We have a great new title, "Columbus: Opening Up the New World"

ISBN-13: 978-1-59845-101-6

Publication Year: 2009

Interest Level: Grades 6-up Page Count: 112

For more information on this title, please visit http://www.enslow.com/displayitem.asp?type=1&item=2677