Oct 9
What monument was a gift to Iceland from the United States to commemorate the 1000-year anniversary of the Althing, the oldest parliament in Western Civilization?
The Leif Erikson Memorial, a prominent statue standing before Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavik, Iceland, was a gift from the United States to commemorate the 1000-year anniversary of the Althing, the world’s oldest parliament. Designed by American sculptor Alexander Stirling Calder and unveiled in 1932, the memorial honors Leif Erikson, the Icelandic explorer who reached North America around the year 1000 AD—centuries before Columbus. Remarkably, the statue itself weighs fifty tons and features a dedication celebrating both the historic Althing and the spirit of discovery. Today, the site remains Iceland’s most photographed monument, drawing visitors eager to trace the interwoven stories of adventure and democracy.
