MAJOR EVENT
While often credited for discovering America, Columbus wasn’t the first European to set foot on the continent. Viking explorer Leif Erikson beat him by nearly 500 years!
Did you know? Columbus Day wasn’t a federal holiday until 1937, although many Italian-American communities had celebrated it much earlier to honor their heritage.
In recent years, Columbus Day has faced criticism due to its association with colonization and the impact on Indigenous peoples. Many communities now celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.
Wondering what will remain closed or open on Columbus Day? Banks, federal offices, and post offices are typically closed, but most stores and restaurants remain open, making it a perfect shopping day.
Christopher Columbus died still believing that he had discovered a new route to Asia, never realizing he had reached the Americas.
Not all U.S. states celebrate Columbus Day as a holiday. Hawaii, South Dakota, and Alaska are just a few places that have replaced it with Indigenous Peoples' Day.