Why Columbus Day?
After more than two months at sea, the crew of Christopher Columbus’ three-ship fleet finally sighted land. The island came into view on October 12, 1492. The first recorded US celebration of Columbus Day took place in New York on October 12, 1792. One hundred years later, President Benjamin Harrison urged Americans to mark the day, which they did through school presentations, plays, and public festivities all across the country. The following year (1893), an even bigger event was held: the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Colorado was the first to make October 12 a state holiday in 1907. Becoming a federal holiday in 1937, Columbus Day has been celebrated on the second Monday in October (instead of October 12) since 1971.
