Columbus Day reminds us the day of arrival of Christopher Columbus on the shores of American continent on October 12, 1412. He was in search of a more convenient route towards India and thought going west will help him find a direct route towards India without suffering the hardship of big sea barrier of African continent.
The Americas were unidentified by the Europe at that time. The discovery of new world generated enormous curiosity and attraction for Europeans to make new colonies in the northern and southern America. The first Columbus Day was celebrated in 1792 on the occasion of 300th anniversary of America’s discovery. In 1892, the Columbus Day was announced by the President Benjamin Harrison. Colorado State was the pioneer in commemorating Columbus Day as the official day of the state. Since then, Columbus Day became the Custom of every state. President Franklin Roosevelt declared the October 12 as the Columbus Day.
The Columbus Day is celebrated as a holiday on the second Monday of October since 1971. On this memorable day, all offices, schools, federal institutions will observe an official holiday and will not open. For some critics, Columbus Day does not serve its original purpose. They are of the view that this day certainly the commemoration of a great event when the new world was discovered but the holiday is in mid October which becomes of no use as it is in between the summer and winter. Most people have a preference of end-of-year charismas holidays.
Columbus Day Parade NYC 2009
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