MINNEOTA MEMORY

Thought to be the only Icelandic-language newspaper published in the United States. the monthly Vinland from Minneota, was first published by G.B. (Gunnar) Bjornson in March 1902 and ceased publication in February 1908. Vinland references the name given to North Americ by Icelander Leif Erickson during the Vikings' explorations. Vinland was an eight-page newspaper written for Icelanders across the United States, offering local, national and international news from Iceland. Bjornson was born in Iceland in 1872 and moved to the United States with his mother in 1877, living on farms in Lyon County before moving into Minneota. He served as postmaster, as well as editor and publisher of the Mascot. He also served as a state representative in 1913.