Lief, son of Erik the Red, set foot on the North American continent 500 years before Christopher Columbus. In the year 1000, on the island of Newfoundland, this Icelandic explorer landed. The Vikings established a settlement there, but only stayed for 2 years.

The day is celebrated just a few days before Christopher Columbus Day,
which is Oct. 12. there have been runestones found dating from this time.

Are the4re any songs commemorating this event?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/erikson_leif.shtml