Statue of Viking Leif Erickson

Seattle’s statue of Leif Erikson was a gift from the Leif Erikson League for the 1962 World’s Fair. Trygve “Ted” Nakkerud—one of the longest-living members of the group responsible for the statue—was the force behind the statue’s fundraising and creation, and he loved telling its history. Leif is a symbol of Nordic immigration, a trailblazer and hero. His voyage to America in 1000 put him ahead of Christopher Columbus, and during the height of immigration in the late 19th century, gave clout to Scandinavian Americans.