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Get ready to sail into a day filled with history and celebration on Columbus Day, which falls on the second Monday in October. This holiday honors the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. While it has been celebrated since the late 18th century, it wasn't until 1937 that it became a federal holiday in the United States. Today, we commemorate this explorer's journey and its impact on our world through parades, festivals, and educational activities. So put on your captain's hat and join in on the festivities!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1492</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Columbus' Discovery</div><div class='timeline-text'>Christopher Columbus arrives in the Americas on October 12, marking a significant milestone in world exploration.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1792</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Columbus Day Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>The city of New York organizes the first significant celebration of the Columbus landing in the Americas.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1866</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Regular Observance Begins</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first regular Columbus Day observance is held in the United States after being proposed by Italian-American newspaper L'Eco dell'Emigrante.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1937</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Federal Holiday Establishment</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaims Columbus Day a national holiday, to be observed on October 12 each year.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1971</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Uniform Monday Holiday Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>The observance of Columbus Day moves to the second Monday in October due to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, signed into law in 1968.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2019</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Indigenous Peoples' Day Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Several states and cities officially observe Indigenous Peoples' Day alongside or instead of Columbus Day, to honor Native American history and culture.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a Spanish-themed dinner</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate the influence of Spain on Columbus' journey by hosting a Spanish-themed dinner party. Serve traditional Spanish dishes and drinks, and decorate with Spanish flags and colors.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Take a virtual tour of Columbus' voyage</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many museums and historical sites offer virtual tours of Columbus' journey to the New World. Gather your family or friends and learn about this important event in history together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a film about Columbus</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>There are many films and documentaries about Columbus' journey and impact on history. Have a movie night with some popcorn and learn more about this famous explorer.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit a replica of the Santa Maria</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Some cities have replicas of the Santa Maria, one of the ships used in Columbus' voyage. Visit one of these replicas and imagine what it was like for Columbus and his crew to sail across the ocean.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a Columbus Day craft</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and make a Columbus Day themed craft. This could be a paper boat, a map of Columbus' journey, or even a costume to dress up as the famous explorer.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Celebrates a significant historical event</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Columbus Day commemorates the day that Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas on October 12, 1492. This was a pivotal moment in history that changed the course of world exploration and trade.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Recognizes cultural diversity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Columbus Day is also a time to celebrate the diverse cultures that make up America. It highlights different traditions and customs brought by immigrants from all corners of the world, contributing to the rich tapestry of American society.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Honors Italian-American heritage</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>For many Italian-Americans, Columbus Day is an important holiday as it celebrates their nationality and heritage. It honors Christopher Columbus' Italian roots and recognizes the contributions of Italian Americans to American society.</p></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The First Person to Propose Columbus Day was a Catholic Priest</h3><p class='facts-content'>Father Michael J. McGivney suggested a day to celebrate native Italian and Catholic pride during a period of anti-Catholic sentiment, resulting in the establishment of the Knights of Columbus - and indirectly leading to Columbus Day.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Columbus Never Actually Set Foot on What is Now United States Mainland</h3><p class='facts-content'>Though Columbus was credited with discovering the 'New World', he mainly explored the Caribbean islands and never reached what is technically now the United States.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There's a Poem Behind the Date Misconception</h3><p class='facts-content'>"In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…" This famous poem has led many to believe the voyage took place in May. While Columbus did start then, he only arrived in October.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria Were Not Their Real Names</h3><p class='facts-content'>These were nicknames for the vessels. The Niña's real name was the Santa Clara, while the Pinta and Santa Maria were probably nicknames with unknown actual names.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Columbus Day Became Popular After Being Featured at the 1893 World’s Fair</h3><p class='facts-content'>The 1892 fair in Chicago hosted the first comprehensive exhibit about Columbus, which created a greater nationwide interest in the explorer and led to widespread observance of Columbus Day.</p></div></div>
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