Even today, the national holiday celebrating Leif Erikson’s landing in Newfoundland hasn’t stirred anything like the controversy surrounding Columbus Day.

A push to recognize Leif Erikson's exploration led to a holiday that competes with Columbus Day—but there's a dark side to the story.

Scholars believe that Leif Erikson was born in Iceland in 968, and he died in Greenland in 1020. The Icelandic Sagas tell of his voyage in the year 1000, and subsequent voyages by his brother.

If the soul of Scandinavian explorer Leif Erikson were to materialize in his Ballard statue, much of what he saw would bewilder him. But not the water and boats.

Scholars believe that Leif Erikson was born in Iceland in 968, and he died in Greenland in 1020. The Icelandic Sagas tell of his voyage in the year 1000, and subsequent voyages by his brother.