In 1637, a group of Finnish and Swedish colonists set sail in two ships - Kalmar Nyckel and Fogel Grip - towards America, under the direction of Peter Minuit of Holland, in an expedition organized by Finnish Admiral Klaus Fleming.

Upon arrival in the new world, Minuit guided the two ships up the Delaware River, where the Dutch had tried to establish a settlement earlier, but had been wiped out by the Indians.

The ships landed on the point where the City of Wilmington is now located. From the Indians the Finns and Swedes purchased the land on the west side of the river as far as its tributary, Schuykill.

There New Sweden was founded. Because the colony of New Sweden retained that name for only 18 years, many students of American history are but slightly familiar with the Finnish and Swedish settlements which grew up in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

12 more expeditions were to arrive in the following years, bringing settlers to New Sweden, majority of them Finns.