Columbus Day 2009
Why is Columbus Day celebrated?
It was because after more than two months at sea, the crew of Christopher Columbus’ three-ship fleet finally sighted land. The island came into view on October 12, 1492.
The first recorded US celebration of Columbus Day took place in New York on October 12, 1792. One hundred years later, President Benjamin Harrison urged Americans to mark the day, which they did through school presentations, plays, and public festivities all across the country. The following year (1893), an even bigger event was held: the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Colorado was the first to make October 12 a state holiday in 1907. Becoming a federal holiday in 1937, Columbus Day has been celebrated on the second Monday in October (instead of October 12) since 1971.
And it can’t be an American holiday unless there’s a sale going on! Free shipping with a $99 or more purchase at Macy’s. This is valid now through October 12th.
It’s Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in many countries in Latin America — Día de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica, Discovery Day in The Bahamas, Día de la Hispanidad and Fiesta Nacional in Spain, Día de las Américas (Day of the Americas) in Uruguay and Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) in Venezuela.
Columbus Day also happens to be the title of a 2008 film starring Val Kilmer.