Columbus Day: Difference between revisions
Truthseeker (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{Infobox holiday | holiday_name = Columbus Day | image = | caption = Columbus Day Parade in New York City | observed_by = United States | type = Federal holiday | date = Second Monday in October | scheduling = Varies (second Monday) | frequency = Annual | duration = 1 day | celebrating = Christopher Columbus's landing in the Americas }} '''Columbus Day''' is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the '''second..." |
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'''Columbus Day''' is a federal holiday in the [[United States]] observed on the '''second Monday in October'''. It commemorates the landing of | '''Columbus Day''' is a federal holiday in the [[United States]] observed on the '''second Monday in October'''. It commemorates the landing of '''Christopher Columbus''' in the Americas on '''October 12, 1492'''. | ||
== Origins == | == Origins == | ||
The holiday began as a celebration of Italian-American heritage in the late 1800s and gained national prominence in 1937, when | The holiday began as a celebration of Italian-American heritage in the late 1800s and gained national prominence in 1937, when '''President Franklin D. Roosevelt''' proclaimed it a federal holiday. | ||
* | * '''First celebrated''': 1792 in New York | ||
* | * '''Federal holiday status''': 1937 | ||
== Celebrations == | == Celebrations == | ||
Traditionally, Columbus Day has been celebrated with: | Traditionally, Columbus Day has been celebrated with: | ||
* | * '''Parades and festivals''', especially in cities with large Italian-American populations | ||
* | * '''Educational programs''' on early exploration | ||
* Recognition of | * Recognition of '''Italian-American contributions''' to U.S. society | ||
Major celebrations occur in: | Major celebrations occur in: | ||
| Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
Columbus Day has become controversial due to Columbus's role in colonization, enslavement, and violence toward Indigenous peoples. | Columbus Day has become controversial due to Columbus's role in colonization, enslavement, and violence toward Indigenous peoples. | ||
As a result, many states and cities now observe | As a result, many states and cities now observe '''Indigenous Peoples' Day''' as an alternative or replacement. | ||
States that | States that '''do not officially celebrate''' Columbus Day include: | ||
* Hawaii (celebrates | * Hawaii (celebrates '''Discoverers’ Day''') | ||
* Alaska | * Alaska | ||
* Oregon | * Oregon | ||
* South Dakota (celebrates | * South Dakota (celebrates '''Native American Day''') | ||
== Fun Facts == | == Fun Facts == | ||
* Columbus never actually set foot on the mainland U.S.; he landed in the Caribbean | * Columbus never actually set foot on the mainland U.S.; he landed in the Caribbean | ||
* Some activists refer to it as a "mythical discovery" of lands already inhabited | * Some activists refer to it as a "mythical discovery" of lands already inhabited | ||
* Despite the controversy, Columbus Day remains a | * Despite the controversy, Columbus Day remains a '''federal holiday''' | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
Latest revision as of 16:27, 7 July 2025
| Columbus Day | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | United States |
| Type | Federal holiday |
| Date | Second Monday in October |
| Scheduling | Varies (second Monday) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Celebrates | Christopher Columbus's landing in the Americas |
Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the second Monday in October. It commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
Origins
The holiday began as a celebration of Italian-American heritage in the late 1800s and gained national prominence in 1937, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed it a federal holiday.
- First celebrated: 1792 in New York
- Federal holiday status: 1937
Celebrations
Traditionally, Columbus Day has been celebrated with:
- Parades and festivals, especially in cities with large Italian-American populations
- Educational programs on early exploration
- Recognition of Italian-American contributions to U.S. society
Major celebrations occur in:
Controversy and Alternatives
Columbus Day has become controversial due to Columbus's role in colonization, enslavement, and violence toward Indigenous peoples.
As a result, many states and cities now observe Indigenous Peoples' Day as an alternative or replacement.
States that do not officially celebrate Columbus Day include:
- Hawaii (celebrates Discoverers’ Day)
- Alaska
- Oregon
- South Dakota (celebrates Native American Day)
Fun Facts
- Columbus never actually set foot on the mainland U.S.; he landed in the Caribbean
- Some activists refer to it as a "mythical discovery" of lands already inhabited
- Despite the controversy, Columbus Day remains a federal holiday