Why is Columbus Day Celebrated? Columbus Day is the commemoration of the day that Christopher Columbus first landed in the New World, on October 12th 1492. He had been looking for a naval route to India, and since he expected to see Indians when he landed, native Americans were given that name too.
The day was first celebrated in 1792, when the mayor of New York celebrated it's anniversary, but it wasn't until 1937 that it was declared a federal holiday by Franklin D. Roosevelt, at the behest of the Knights of Columbus. This was a Catholic fraternal group that was named after Columbus. What people do, and how Columbus Day is celebrated This holiday is observed in small ways-not of the magnitude of holidays such as President's day. It is commemorated on the second Monday of October, and the post office, banks, and most federal and government agencies close for the day (in most, but not all states). However most other businesses and indeed the schools remain open for normal operation. Whether or not you have the day off, you can still participate in certain activities in observance of the holiday. Many towns will have a Columbus Day parade that you can watch. People might also prepare a meal of the sort that was eaten in 1492, or typical seaman's fare given that Columbus had spent so long in the water. Children in schools might perform plays of the voyage, or depictions of the landing. Notibly, Nevada does not hold this day as a legal holiday, however it is an observance. Denver has one of the longest running parades, but also faces fierce opposition from American Indian groups, and this leads us to the controversy. The controversy stems from the fact that when Columbus and other subsequent settlers came to the New World they at best, treated the natives with cruelty. Further, they stripped the natives of material wealth and fought many wars with them, acellerating the population decline. But the deadliest blow was from the diseases that they brought with them-such as small pox. The natives of course were not immune to European diseases that spread through the people, and in the approximately one hundred and fifty years following the landing, eighty five percent of the native population were wiped out. California attempts a more politically correct observance with Indigenous People's day. Places to be for Columbus Day The nation's capital-Washington DC is a wonderful place to be for this day, where there are wreath laying ceremonies at the Spanish and Italian embassies as well as the Columbus memorial. There are normally other events over the weekend, such as a Taste of Georgetown. However many towns and cities put on a parade which is enjoyable to see. Columbus Day Activities Certain businesses will be closed for the day. Schools might have a day of special activities focussing on education about Christopher Columbus, as well as putting on plays depicting the voyage and landing. |
