Mon, Oct 14, 2024
Interesting Facts
Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October in the United States, commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492, marking a pivotal moment in world history that led to the widespread awareness and eventual colonization of the Americas by Europeans.
Initially celebrated by Italian-Americans as a way to honor their heritage and the contributions of an Italian explorer, the day became a federal holiday in the United States in 1937, symbolizing the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the American continents.
However, Columbus Day has become a subject of controversy and debate due to the catastrophic impact of European settlement on Indigenous peoples, including disease, displacement, and violence.
In response to these concerns, several states and cities have begun to recognize the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead, aiming to honor the history, culture, and resilience of Native American peoples rather than the arrival of Columbus.