Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Christopher Columbus’
Discovery of the Americas
Oct 12 : Columbus Day

Did you know that Columbus Day is one of ten US federal holidays?

The other federal holidays are New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Did you know that while Columbus Day is celebrated as a national holiday in the US it is also marked by Italian-Americans as a celebration of their culture and heritage?

The discovery of the Americas is also celebrated in different countries. Known as Di­a de la Raza (Day of the Race) in many Latin American countries, as Di­a de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica, Discovery Day in the Bahamas, Di­a de la Hispanidad in Spain, and Dia de la Resistencia Indi­gena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) in Venezuela.

Thanks for joining us as we counted down to Columbus Day.

Happy Columbus Day,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

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Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Hindu Festival of Light
Oct 12 : 05 days to Diwali

Did you know that the term, Hindu, means Indian, but it is not a native Indian word?

It was actually introduced millennia ago by a foreigner in referring to people of northern India. The term came to refer to all adherents of the religion — whether or not they lived in India.

Diwali, or the “festival of lights” is celebrated by Hindus across India and the huge Hindu diaspora spread all over the world. This multi-day festival, whose name literally means “row of lighted lamps“, is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm between late October and November. It’s their most important festival in the annual calendar. Join us as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Diwali.

Diwali begins Saturday October 17th, 2009

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Columbus Day (US)

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

Celebrating Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas (the New World).

In 1492 Columbus left Spain with three ships – the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria – looking to find an alternative route to India. After sighting land, his fleet eventually landed on what is now know as the Bahamas.

Observed as a national holiday in the US and by Italian-Americans as a celebration of their culture and heritage.

The discovery of the Americas is also celebrated in different countries. Known as Di­a de la Raza (Day of the Race) in many Latin American countries, as Di­a de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica, Discovery Day in the Bahamas, Di­a de la Hispanidad in Spain, and Dia de la Resistencia Indi­gena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) in Venezuela.*

*source: wikipedia – Columbus Day

Thanksgiving (Canada)
And a very special holiday greeting to our friends up in Canada…

Happy Thanksgiving!
Aye!

More information: Thanksgiving in Canada
photo credit: via flickr