Norway and North America 1825–2025
It’s a milestone year for the Norwegian American community. Throughout 2025, we’re commemorating the bicentennial of organized migration from Norway to North America.
Norwegian and North American history are full of stories of movement and migration, of people taking great risks to improve their lives, of people trading one home for another.”
A group of 52 Norwegians set sail on July 4, 1825, on the ship Restauration. They were among the first of the hundreds of thousands who would follow. More than a third of the country’s population made that journey. It changed both Norway and North America, where today nearly 5 million claim Norwegian ancestry.
This bicentennial gives us the opportunity to see again what it means to migrate — what it takes, what it gains, and what it costs. It can also lead to better understanding of the movement of peoples that continues around the world today.
Read on to learn how NAHA is marking the bicentennial and our own centennial in 2025.
NAHA Events in 2025
NAHA has a full year of events planned to commemorate the bicentennial. Between our international conference, tours, and special events, we invite you to join us.
Archiving 2025
To document the bicentennial of Norwegian migration, NAHA is fulfilling its mission by collecting born-digital and physical materials. Do you have items to donate?
Crossings Websites
Visit the Crossings shared landing page for Norway and North America to learn how the bicentennial will be commemorated on both sides of the Atlantic.