Norse-American Centennial Main Menu Introduction Context Centennial Celebration Legacy of the Centennial Archival Resources at NAHA

Pre-Centennial Planning

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To celebrate the Norse-American Centennial, Congress called for the issuing of stamps, which resulted in the first two stamps made in two colors of ink for an event. One of the stamps depicted the Restaurationen, the ship that crossed the Atlantic in 1825. The other stamp depicted Leif Erikson’s ship. Congressman O.J. Kvale of Minnesota (along with Senator Peter Norbeck of South Dakota) were in charge of convincing Congress to support production of these stamps, which passed and were produced for the centennial. In Kvale’s speech, however, he also pushes the “empty land” myth, as discussed in the context. In his speech, he states, “These traits will explain why the Norwegians have tramped out into the new and unexplored country, have fought savages and beasts and primeval nature, and have built the prosperous, peaceful, law-abiding communities that even to-day are a recognized mark of their homes in that section” (10).
Speech by O.J. Kvale (Box 10, Folder 7) 

01083: Western Union Telegram from Norbeck confirming Presidential visit
01376: Letter to Bothne from Norwegian-American wanting to learn more about Centennial
01438: Details on Presidential Speech to Bothne

 

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