Columbus Day

Christopher Columbus discovered America on Friday October 12^th, 1492.

First Landing of Columbus on the Shores of the New World was described by countless authors and depicted by numerous painters.

Columbus Day is celebrated not only in the USA, but also in a number of other countries.

The anniversary of the landing had been commemorated since the early days, before it was formalized.  Colorado was the first state to recognize Columbus Day as an official holiday in 1906.  It became a federal holiday in 1937.

For most Americans, this holiday is a way of honoring Columbus' achievements, “having fun” and showing off patriotism as well as celebrating their dual cultural roots.  It is also Italian American Heritage Day and it coincides with Canadian Thanksgiving Day.

With time Columbus Day has become controversial as reflecting the Euro-centric view that what for centuries has been seen as a great cultural revolution and a chance for salvation for the “cruel savages”, was in fact a genocide and led to the demise of the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Happy Columbus Day!