Facts about eric the red the viking

Eric the Red was a Norse viking, discoverer and colonizer of Greenland. Real name: Erik Thorvaldsson. The appellation "the Red" most likely refers to his hair color. Eric the Red was born in 950 and died in 1003. Eric the Red was exiled from Iceland for killing 2 men. Eric the Red was the first European in Greenland. Eric the Red led a group of colonists from Iceland to Greenland in 985-986. Eric the Red and approximately 400 settlers in 14 ships arrived to settle Greenland in 986. When Eric the Red came to the new land he called Greenland. Eric explained, "people would be attracted to go there if it had a favorable name". Eric’s son was Leif Erickson. Leif Erikson became the first Viking to explore the land of Vinland (part of North America, probably near modern-day Newfoundland).