Columbus Day Fast Facts

Here is some background information about Columbus Day.

Facts:

Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Before it became a legal federal holiday in 1971, many states celebrated Columbus Day on October 12.

It marks Christopher Columbus' first voyage to America. He landed on the island of Guanahani in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492.

_{-- AP photo}

Columbus and a crew of 90 people, set sail about ten weeks earlier aboard their ships - Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.

_{-- "Nina", Christopher Columbus sailing ship replica, (AP photo)}

Timeline:

1792 - The first Columbus Day celebration is organized by The Society of St. Tammany and held in New York City, (300th anniversary of Columbus' landing).

1892 - President Benjamin Harrison issues a proclamation establishing a celebration of Columbus Day on the 400th anniversary of Columbus' landing.

_{-- President Benjamin Harrison as 23rd President of the United States}

April 7, 1907 - Colorado becomes the first state to declare Columbus Day a legal holiday.

1920 - Columbus Day begins being celebrated annually.

1971 - Columbus Day becomes a legal federal holiday in the United States. Presidential Proclamation (PL90-363) states that the observance of Columbus Day is always on the second Monday in October.

International - Columbus Day & Columbus:

The Republic of Colombia in South America and the District of Columbia in the United States are named after Christopher Columbus.

Several towns, rivers, streets, and public buildings in the United States also bear his name.

Some Latin American countries celebrate October 12 as the Dia de la Raza (Day of the Race).