The Importance of Columbus Day
Question:
Dear mom, this question is from your son. A couple months ago, you espoused on the importance of Columbus Day, namely how we observed it because "Columbus was one of our presidents." Can you give us further info on this holiday, such as: when did it first become a holiday, who celebrates it, and who was his Vice-President?
Answer:
Columbus Day is one of America's oldest holidays. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first voyage.
Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. In fact, the Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 in honor of the 400th anniversary of his first voyage. That year, President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus Day a legal holiday. In 1971 Columbus Day became a federal holiday in all 50 states after Congress passed a law declaring the second Monday in October Columbus Day. Columbus Day is the only day on which the nation recognizes the heritage of an estimated 26 million Italian Americans.
As for his presidency, I had a brain fart while we were in Naples, Florida. I was excited about the $5.00 flag ring I bought and told dad and nana I was going to wear it to honor Christopher Columbus. Dad said "Why are you honoring Columbus?" and I said because he was a President and then nana had a coughing fit, and I realized I had made a mistake. Oh well.
Reference sites: