Columbus Day Fun Facts

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Over 100 fun facts about Columbus Day for your enjoyment!

Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The holiday is celebrated on the second Monday in October, and is observed as a federal holiday.

Columbus Day has been recognized as a holiday in the United States since 1937, and is often celebrated with parades and festivals in cities across the country. It is also a controversial holiday, as it has been criticized for celebrating the legacy of a man who played a significant role in the colonization and exploitation of the Americas, as well as the displacement and subjugation of indigenous peoples.

Some states and cities have instead adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is celebrated on the same day as Columbus Day, as a way to recognize and honor the history and culture of Native American peoples.

To help you celebrate, we’ve created this list of over 100 fun facts about Columbus Day.

Columbus Day Fun Facts


Table of Contents

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – About Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a holiday that commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The holiday was first celebrated in the United States in 1792, on the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage, but did not become a federal holiday until 1937.

The idea of celebrating Columbus Day originated with Italian immigrants in the United States, who saw Columbus as a symbol of their heritage and an inspiration for their own struggles in the new country. In 1869, the Italian fraternal organization Order of St. John United decided to celebrate Columbus’s voyage with a parade in New York City, and the tradition quickly spread to other cities with large Italian populations.

The push for Columbus Day to become a national holiday was led by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization founded in 1882. They saw Columbus as a symbol of Catholicism and a way to combat the anti-Catholic sentiment that was prevalent in the United States at the time.

Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who saw it as a way to honor the contributions of Italian Americans to the United States. The holiday has since been celebrated on the second Monday in October, and is often marked by parades, festivals, and other events in cities across the country.

However, in recent years, Columbus Day has become a controversial holiday, as it has been criticized for celebrating the legacy of a man who played a significant role in the colonization and exploitation of the Americas, as well as the displacement and subjugation of indigenous peoples. Some states and cities have instead adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is celebrated on the same day as Columbus Day, as a way to recognize and honor the history and culture of Native American peoples.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – 101 Fun Facts

Here are 101 fun facts about Columbus Day:

  1. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October.
  2. It commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
  3. Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States.
  4. The holiday was first celebrated in the United States in 1792, on the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage.
  5. Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937.
  6. The idea of celebrating Columbus Day originated with Italian immigrants in the United States.
  7. Columbus Day is also celebrated in Latin America, Spain, and Italy.
  8. Some states and cities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
  9. Columbus made four voyages to the Americas.
  10. Columbus never actually set foot on the mainland of North America.
  11. Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy.
  12. Columbus was originally a weaver and then became a sailor.
  13. Columbus first tried to convince the Portuguese king to fund his voyage.
  14. Columbus was rejected by the Portuguese king and then turned to Spain for funding.
  15. Columbus’s first voyage was financed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.
  16. Columbus sailed with three ships on his first voyage: the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.
  17. The Santa Maria was the largest of the three ships.
  18. The voyage took 33 days.
  19. Columbus’s crew became increasingly mutinous as the voyage wore on.
  20. Columbus promised his crew that they would turn back if they didn’t find land in three days.
  21. Columbus sighted land on October 12, 1492.
  22. The first land Columbus sighted was an island in the Bahamas.
  23. Columbus named the island San Salvador.
  24. Columbus believed he had reached the Indies, which is why he called the indigenous peoples he encountered “Indians.”
  25. Columbus brought back samples of plants, animals, and people from the Americas.
  26. Columbus also brought back gold and other precious metals.
  27. Columbus made three more voyages to the Americas.
  28. Columbus was arrested and sent back to Spain in chains on his third voyage.
  29. Columbus died in poverty and obscurity in 1506.
  30. Columbus’s remains have been moved several times since his death.
  31. Columbus’s voyages had a significant impact on world history.
  32. Columbus’s voyages led to the opening of the Americas to European colonization.
  33. Columbus’s voyages led to the introduction of new crops, animals, and technologies to the Americas.
  34. Columbus’s voyages had a devastating impact on the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
  35. Columbus’s voyages led to the forced labor and enslavement of millions of indigenous peoples.
  36. Columbus’s voyages also brought diseases that wiped out large portions of the indigenous population.
  37. Columbus Day is celebrated with parades in many cities across the United States.
  38. The first Columbus Day parade was held in New York City in 1892.
  39. Columbus Day is also celebrated with festivals, pageants, and other events.
  40. Columbus Day is a popular day for Italian Americans to celebrate their heritage.
  41. Columbus Day is a controversial holiday due to Columbus’s treatment of indigenous peoples.
  42. The movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day gained traction in the 2010s.
  43. The first city to officially replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day was Berkeley, California.
  44. Other cities and states have followed suit, including Los Angeles, Seattle, and Vermont.
  45. Columbus Day was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  46. Columbus Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1792, 300 years after Columbus’s first voyage to the Americas.
  47. The first official Columbus Day celebration in the United States was held in New York City in 1866.
  48. The first state to officially recognize Columbus Day as a holiday was Colorado in 1905.
  49. The first national celebration of Columbus Day was on October 12, 1937, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  50. Some states, such as Hawaii, South Dakota, and Alaska, do not celebrate Columbus Day and have chosen to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.
  51. The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, began lobbying for Columbus Day to become a national holiday in 1907.
  52. In Latin America, Columbus Day is known as Día de la Raza, or Day of the Race, and celebrates the mixing of European, African, and Indigenous cultures.
  53. Columbus Day is a public holiday in many countries, including Spain, Italy, and several countries in Latin America.
  54. Columbus Day is not a federal holiday in Canada, but it is celebrated in some provinces and territories.
  55. Columbus Day has been controversial because of the treatment of Indigenous peoples by Columbus and other European explorers and colonizers.
  56. Some Indigenous peoples and their allies have protested Columbus Day and called for it to be replaced with Indigenous Peoples’ Day or a similar holiday.
  57. The idea of Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian-American heritage gained popularity in the 20th century, and Italian-Americans have continued to be strong supporters of the holiday.
  58. Columbus Day parades are a popular tradition in many cities with large Italian-American populations, including New York City, Boston, and Chicago.
  59. The Columbus Day Regatta is a popular boating event held annually in Miami, Florida.
  60. The largest Columbus Day parade in the world is held in New York City and draws over one million spectators each year.
  61. Columbus never realized that he had discovered a new continent. He spent the rest of his life believing that he had found a new route to Asia.
  62. The first monument to Columbus in the United States was built in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1792.
  63. In 1907, Colorado became the first state to declare Columbus Day an official holiday.
  64. In 1934, the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal service organization, lobbied Congress to declare Columbus Day a national holiday.
  65. The first Columbus Day parade was held in New York City in 1929.
  66. Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937.
  67. Columbus Day is not a public holiday in every state. Some states, such as Hawaii and South Dakota, do not observe Columbus Day as an official holiday.
  68. In Latin America, Columbus Day is known as Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) or Día de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Heritage Day).
  69. In the Bahamas, Columbus Day is celebrated as Discovery Day, and in Spain it is known as Día de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day).
  70. Columbus Day is not celebrated in many Caribbean countries, where Columbus is viewed as a symbol of European colonization and oppression.
  71. Some activists and scholars have criticized the celebration of Columbus Day, arguing that it glorifies a figure who participated in the enslavement and genocide of Indigenous peoples.
  72. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, which recognizes the history and contributions of Indigenous peoples in the Americas.
  73. The first known celebration of Columbus Day in the United States was in 1792, to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
  74. In many parts of the United States, Columbus Day is celebrated with parades, pageants, and reenactments of Columbus’s voyage.
  75. Columbus Day is a bank holiday in some states, which means that banks and other financial institutions are closed.
  76. The Italian-American community has been a strong advocate for the celebration of Columbus Day in the United States, as Columbus was of Italian descent.
  77. The holiday has been controversial in recent years, with some states and cities choosing to replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day, in recognition of the people who lived in the Americas before Columbus’s arrival.
  78. The largest Columbus Day parade in the United States is held in New York City, and attracts more than one million spectators each year.
  79. Columbus Day is also celebrated in Latin America and Spain, as well as in some other parts of the world.
  80. In some parts of the United States, Columbus Day is celebrated with Italian festivals and feasts, featuring traditional Italian foods like pasta and pizza.
  81. The state of Oregon was the first to officially replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, in 2017.
  82. In some parts of the United States, Columbus Day is also known as Discoverer’s Day, to recognize the achievements of other explorers and pioneers.
  83. Some Italian-Americans celebrate Columbus Day as a way to honor their heritage and the contributions of Italian-Americans to American society.
  84. Columbus Day is a controversial holiday, and its celebration is often seen as a reflection of different perspectives on history, identity, and culture.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – 20 Fun Facts for Kids

Here are 20 fun facts about Columbus Day that kids might enjoy:

  1. Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
  2. Columbus Day was first celebrated as a national holiday in the United States in 1937.
  3. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year.
  4. Columbus Day is also known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in many parts of the United States, as a way to acknowledge and honor the Native American people who lived in the Americas long before Columbus arrived.
  5. Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451.
  6. Columbus set sail on his famous voyage with three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.
  7. The voyage to the Americas took Columbus and his crew 70 days.
  8. The first land that Columbus spotted in the Americas was an island in the Bahamas that he named San Salvador.
  9. Columbus made four voyages to the Americas, and is credited with opening up the New World to European exploration and colonization.
  10. Columbus is also infamous for his treatment of the Native American people, who suffered greatly as a result of European colonization.
  11. Columbus Day parades are held in many cities across the United States, featuring floats, bands, and dancers dressed in traditional costumes.
  12. In some places, Columbus Day is celebrated with reenactments of Columbus’s voyage and the landing of the Santa Maria.
  13. In Latin America, Columbus Day is known as Día de la Raza, or “Day of the Race”, and is celebrated as a day of cultural pride and diversity.
  14. Columbus Day is not just celebrated in the United States – it is also a national holiday in many countries throughout the Americas, including Colombia, Chile, and Spain.
  15. Some people choose not to celebrate Columbus Day, and instead observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a way to honor the Native American cultures and history of the Americas.
  16. Columbus Day was not recognized as a federal holiday until 1937, but it was first celebrated in the United States in 1792, on the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage.
  17. In some parts of Italy, Columbus Day is celebrated as a way to honor the achievements of Italian-Americans in the United States.
  18. Columbus Day is a great opportunity to learn about the history of the Americas and the cultures of the people who have lived here for thousands of years.
  19. Many schools and libraries hold special events and activities to celebrate Columbus Day and to educate children about the history of the Americas.
  20. Whether you celebrate Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it is important to remember the impact of Columbus’s voyage on the world, and to honor the diversity and richness of the cultures of the Americas.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – Columbus Day Legends

There are several legends and myths that have developed over time regarding Christopher Columbus and his famous voyage to the Americas. Here are a few examples:

Columbus and the Flat Earth: One of the most persistent legends about Columbus is that he set out to prove that the Earth was round, despite popular belief that it was flat. However, this is a myth – educated people in Columbus’s time knew that the Earth was round, and Columbus himself was well aware of this fact.

Columbus and the Egg: According to this legend, Columbus was once challenged by critics who said that his discovery of the Americas was not a great feat, and that anyone could have done it. In response, Columbus picked up an egg and challenged the critics to make it stand on its end. When they were unable to do so, Columbus cracked the egg slightly on one end, making it stand upright. The point of the story is that Columbus had a unique vision and the ability to accomplish what others thought was impossible.

Columbus and the Mermaid: Some legends claim that Columbus and his crew saw a mermaid during their voyage to the Americas. In one version of the story, the mermaid is friendly and even helps the crew with their navigation, while in other versions, the mermaid is hostile and tries to lure sailors to their deaths.

Columbus and the Hidden Jewels: According to this legend, Columbus was granted a large sum of money by Queen Isabella of Spain to fund his voyage. However, Columbus allegedly secretly kept some of the money for himself, and hid the jewels and gold in a secret location. To this day, no one has found the supposed hidden treasure.

It’s worth noting that many of these legends are likely untrue or embellished over time. Nevertheless, they have become part of the mythology and folklore surrounding Columbus and his famous voyage to the Americas.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – Columbus Day Traditions

Columbus Day has been celebrated in different ways in various parts of the United States and other countries. Here are some traditional ways that Columbus Day is celebrated:

Parades: Columbus Day parades are a popular tradition in many cities and towns across the United States. The parades often feature floats, marching bands, and people dressed in traditional costumes.

Celebrations and Festivals: Many places have celebrations and festivals on Columbus Day, often with live music, dancing, food, and activities for families.

Historical Reenactments: Some communities organize reenactments of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas or other important events from his life.

Religious Observances: Columbus Day is observed as a Catholic feast day in some countries, and some churches hold special masses or other religious services to honor Columbus’s achievements.

Italian-American Celebrations: Columbus Day is often seen as a day to celebrate Italian-American heritage and culture, as Columbus was of Italian descent. Some Italian-American communities hold traditional feasts, parades, or other events to mark the occasion.

Education and Learning: Many schools and educational institutions use Columbus Day as an opportunity to teach children about the history of Columbus’s voyage and its impact on the world.

Volunteering and Service: Some people use Columbus Day as a day to give back to their communities through volunteering or service projects.

It’s worth noting that in recent years, there has been a growing movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, to honor and recognize the Indigenous peoples who lived in the Americas long before Columbus’s arrival. Some communities now celebrate both holidays, while others have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day altogether.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – Columbus Day Around the World

Columbus Day is primarily celebrated in the United States and some other countries in the Americas. However, there are also some countries and communities around the world that celebrate the day in different ways. Here are a few examples:

Italy: Columbus Day is celebrated in Italy as Giornata Nazionale di Cristoforo Colombo, a national holiday honoring Columbus’s Italian heritage.

Spain: Columbus Day is known as Día de la Hispanidad in Spain, and is celebrated as a national holiday to honor Spanish heritage and culture.

Latin America: Columbus Day is celebrated as Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in many Latin American countries, including Mexico, Argentina, and Venezuela. The day is seen as an opportunity to celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of the Americas.

Bahamas: Columbus Day is celebrated in the Bahamas as Discovery Day, a national holiday that commemorates Columbus’s arrival in the New World.

Costa Rica: Columbus Day is celebrated in Costa Rica as Día de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures), a day to celebrate the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Venezuela: In Venezuela, Columbus Day is celebrated as Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Day of Indigenous Resistance), to recognize the Indigenous peoples who were impacted by Columbus’s arrival and subsequent colonization of the Americas.

Argentina: In Argentina, Columbus Day is celebrated as Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity), to honor the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – Columbus Day Symbols

Columbus Day is a holiday in honor of Christopher Columbus, who is credited with discovering America. Here are some symbols associated with Columbus Day:

The Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria: These are the three ships that Columbus sailed on his voyage to the New World in 1492. They are symbols of his historic journey and discovery.

The American flag: Columbus Day is a celebration of America’s history, and the American flag is a symbol of the country’s unity and pride.

The compass: Columbus used a compass to navigate his ships across the Atlantic, and it is a symbol of his courage and determination.

Maps and globes: These are symbols of Columbus’s exploration and discovery of new lands and territories.

The color blue: Blue is associated with Columbus Day because it represents the ocean that Columbus and his crew sailed across to reach the New World.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – Determining the Date for Columbus Day

The date for Columbus Day was set by the United States government in 1934. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed October 12 as Columbus Day, which was designated as a federal holiday. This date was chosen because it is believed to be the day that Columbus first landed in the Americas in 1492.

However, in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was passed, which moved the celebration of Columbus Day from October 12 to the second Monday in October. This was done in order to create more three-day weekends for workers and to provide a more consistent schedule for federal holidays.

While Columbus Day remains a federal holiday in the United States, there has been some controversy surrounding the holiday in recent years due to Columbus’s treatment of indigenous peoples and the subsequent colonization of the Americas. As a result, some cities and states have chosen to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead, which honors and celebrates the cultures and contributions of Native American peoples.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – Celebrations Across the States

While Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States, different states and cities may choose to celebrate the holiday differently. Some states and cities have chosen to rename the holiday and celebrate it as Indigenous Peoples Day instead, while others continue to observe Columbus Day.

For example, in South Dakota, the holiday is officially recognized as Native American Day, which honors the state’s Native American tribes. In Hawaii, the holiday is known as Discoverers’ Day, which celebrates the Polynesian discoverers of Hawaii. And in Alaska, the holiday is observed as Indigenous Peoples Day, which honors the state’s Native American and Indigenous communities.

In addition, some states and cities have chosen to hold parades or other events to celebrate the holiday, while others do not. The way in which the holiday is observed can also vary depending on local traditions and customs.

Overall, while Columbus Day is a federal holiday, its observance can vary from state to state and city to city, with some places choosing to celebrate it in different ways or on a different day altogether.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – Quotes

“Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.” – Christopher Columbus

“The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.” – Edward Gibbon

“The sea is dangerous and its storms terrible, but these obstacles have never been sufficient reason to remain ashore.” – Ferdinand Magellan

“Every ship that comes to America got its chart from Columbus.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Columbus found a world, and had no chart, save one that faith deciphered in the skies.” – Edmund Clarence Stedman

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – About Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who is credited with discovering the New World. He was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451 and began his career as a sailor at a young age. Columbus believed that he could reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic, and he sought funding from the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella to undertake a voyage of discovery.

Columbus made four voyages across the Atlantic, the first of which took place in 1492. He set sail with three ships – the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria – and after a journey of several weeks, he landed on an island in the Bahamas that he named San Salvador. Columbus believed that he had reached the East Indies, but in fact he had discovered the Americas.

Columbus’s voyages had a significant impact on world history, as they opened up the New World to European exploration and colonization. However, Columbus’s treatment of the indigenous peoples he encountered was often brutal, and his legacy is controversial.

Columbus died in 1506, largely forgotten and without ever realizing that he had discovered a new continent. However, his voyages paved the way for further exploration of the Americas and had a profound impact on the course of world history.

Fun Facts About Columbus Day – Indigenous People Day

Indigenous Peoples Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors the history and cultures of Native American and Indigenous peoples. The holiday is often observed as an alternative to Columbus Day, which some people view as a celebration of colonialism and the subjugation of indigenous peoples.

The origins of Indigenous Peoples Day can be traced back to the 1970s, when various groups began to protest the celebration of Columbus Day and call for a holiday that would recognize the contributions and struggles of Native American and Indigenous peoples. The first official Indigenous Peoples Day was established in 1992 by the city of Berkeley, California, and since then, many other cities and states have followed suit.

The holiday is usually celebrated on the second Monday in October, which is the same day that Columbus Day is observed in the United States. However, the focus of the holiday is on celebrating the cultures and histories of indigenous peoples, rather than on the legacy of Columbus and European colonization.

In many communities, Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated with parades, cultural events, and educational programs that highlight the achievements and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples throughout history. The holiday also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by indigenous communities, and the need for continued efforts to promote justice and equality for these groups.

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Columbus Day Fun Facts


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