Landingslag Timeline

The story of Landingslag is part of a much larger journey, one that began in Norway’s Land region and continues today through our members and friends across America. This timeline highlights key moments in that shared history: from early emigration and the founding of Landingslag in 1910 to the many gatherings, publications, and friendships that keep our heritage alive.

1814

Norway adopts its Constitution on May 17, celebrated as Syttende Mai (Norway’s Constitution Day).

Artist's rendition of the Norwegian constitutional assembly in 1814
Artist’s rendition of the Norwegian constitutional assembly at the Eidsvoll Manor House

Reference: Wikipedia

1825

The sloop Restauration arrives in New York from Norway, the first organized emigration from Norway to the U.S.

The Norwegian sloop called the Restauration sailing on the ocean
The Restauration

Reference: Wikipedia

1839

Lars Nielsen Røste is the first person from Land to immigrate to the U.S.

1840-1915

About 750,000 Norwegians immigrate to the U.S., including 83,000 from Oppland County and 6,500 from Land. Additionally, 60,000 to 70,000 Norwegians immigrate to Canada.

1840-1850s

Early Norwegian emigration to North America, mainly through U.S. ports such as New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, establishing early migration patterns.

Reference: Wikipedia

1842

Hans Halvorsen Smedsrud and Marthe Olsdatter immigrate to the U.S. Their daughter, Helene Hansdatter, is the first child born in the U.S. to parents from Land.

1850

The U.S. Census counts 13,000 Norwegian Americans.

1850s-1860s

Many Norwegian emigrants enter North America through Canadian ports such as Quebec, Saint John, and Halifax, often continuing on to the U.S. Midwest.

Reference: Wikipedia

1862

The Homestead Act encourages migration to western U.S. territories.

1st page of the H.R. 125, An Act to Secure Homesteads to Actual Settlers on the Public Domain, March 25, 1862; Records of the U.S. Senate, RG 46.

Reference: Wikipedia

1868

The 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship to all children born in the U.S.

Reference: Wikipedia

1870s-1892

Norwegian emigration continues primarily through U.S. ports, increasing in number and reaching a peak just before Ellis Island opens in 1892.

Reference: Wikipedia

1892

Ellis Island opens as the main U.S. immigration station.

Immigrants to the US arriving on Ellis Island
Arrivals at Ellis Island

Reference: Wikipedia

1905

Norway gains independence from Sweden.

Reference: Wikipedia

1910-present

Landingslag is founded on June 16, 1910. Annual Landingslag Stevner (reunions) held thereafter, with few exceptions.

Two story hall with empty seats in balcony. Floor contains three long, parallel tables with people (mostly men) on both sides of each table dressed formally in 1910 attire.
Landings Laget’s first Stevne in Dania Hall in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 16, 1910

Reference: Landingslag’s Earliest Members and 1924 Members

1913-1971

Landingslag raises 10,000 kroner for a charitable fund in Land; annual interest distributed to the poor. In 1971, the fund was no longer needed and was transferred to the Lands Museum at Dokka.

1917

People in Land present a banner to Landingslag as a symbol of lasting ties between Land and its emigrants. Eventually, the banner, too fragile for display, is preserved at the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa.

1924

Landings-Bogen published, featuring stories about Land and people from Land in America.

1977-present

Landingslag Newsletters published (3–4 per year).

Reference: Newsletters

1980

The July newsletter is the first to be titled Land-I-Amerika.

Image of the Landings Laget's newsletter. The words Landings Laget's Land-I-Amerika are on it along with images of the Nordre and Søndre Land shields and Per Einbu's Emigrant Memorial. There's also a swashy graphic on the right.
Land-I-Amerika Newsletter Header (modern version)

1985

Landingslag publishes the 75th anniversary pamphlet, Landing’s Laget 75 Years.

1989-present

Landingslag organizes trips to Norway, establishing a roughly five-year cycle beginning with the 2000 trip.

Scenic overlook from Hogne church grounds in Nordsinni, Nordre Land. View is to the southeast overlooking Dokka and on to Søndre Land and the Randsfjorden.
Southeast view from Nordre Land over Dokka toward Søndre Land and Randsfjorden

1991

The Landingslag Constitution is translated from Norwegian to English.

Reference: pages 5-6 in the Centennial Book (members-only)

1997

Landingslag publishes Landings Across the Ocean: 85th Anniversary Book (1910–1995).

Reference: 85 Year Book (members-only)

2000

Emigration Relief sculpture by Norwegian artist Per Einbu is gifted by Landingslag member Ann Edwards to Lands Museum in Dokka, Norway.

Painted, wood carving on a big surface (maybe 14' wide by 6 feet high) of Norwegian emigrants in Norway leaving with a cart and horse walking by friends who are staying with a border around it with words translated from Norwegian as "Remembrance of the Emigration From Land To America". Picture is close-up, taken from an angle.
Norwegian Emigrant Relief (about 14′ wide by 6′ high)

Reference: Emigrant Memorial

2010

Landingslag publishes Landingslag: The First 100 Years centennial book.

Reference: Centennial Book (members-only)

Boka om Land IV (The Book of Land IV) by Arvid Sandaker, English translation by Landingslag member Sandra Hendrickson.

Reference: Boka om Land IV