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

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Christopher Columbus’
Discovery of the Americas
Oct 09 : 01 day to Columbus Day

Did you know that the first official American commemoration of explorer Christopher Columbus occurred in 1892?

That’s when President Benjamin Harrison made a commemorative proclamation to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage to the New World

Did you know that the state of Colorado was the first to observe Columbus Day, in 1905?

By 1937, the entire country had begun observing Columbus Day and President Franklin Roosevelt officially proclaimed October 12th for its celebration. This remained the case until 1971, when Congress declared Columbus Day a public federal holiday to be held on the second Monday of October.

In 1492 Christopher Columbus left Spain looking to find an alternative route to India. After sighting land, his fleet eventually landed on what is now know as the Bahamas. Columbus Day is a celebration of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas (the New World). Observed as a national holiday in the US and by Italian-Americans as a celebration of their culture and heritage.

Join us as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Columbus Day which is celebrated on Monday October 10th, 2011.

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

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Christopher Columbus’
Discovery of the Americas
Oct 08 : 02 days to Columbus Day

Did you know that the Vikings explored the North American coast five centuries before Columbus’ journey?

Ultimately, however, it was Columbus’ expedition that established the permanent intertwining of Europe with the New World, which resulted in the colonization of the Americas.

In 1492 Christopher Columbus left Spain looking to find an alternative route to India. After sighting land, his fleet eventually landed on what is now know as the Bahamas. Columbus Day is a celebration of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas (the New World). Observed as a national holiday in the US and by Italian-Americans as a celebration of their culture and heritage.

Join us as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Columbus Day which is celebrated on Monday October 10th, 2011.

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

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore
About Christopher Columbus’
Discovery of the Americas
Oct 07 : 03 days to Columbus Day

Did you know that on October 12, 1492, Christopher Columbus landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first European to see the islands of the New World?

He had intended to sail to the East Indies off Southeast Asia — but seriously underestimated how large the world truly is.

Did you know that there is a lot of controversy over whether Columbus can be credited with discovering the New Worlds, since these lands, including the Bahamas, Cuba and Haita (Hispanolia), were already inhabited?

Indeed, many of those natives were later enslaved by Spanish colonizers.

In 1492 Christopher Columbus left Spain looking to find an alternative route to India. After sighting land, his fleet eventually landed on what is now know as the Bahamas. Columbus Day is a celebration of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas (the New World). Observed as a national holiday in the US and by Italian-Americans as a celebration of their culture and heritage.

Join us as we present a new “Did You Know?” fact each day as we countdown to Columbus Day which is celebrated on Monday October 10th, 2011.

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

Constitution Day / Constitution Week
On this day in 1787, the U.S. Constitution Convention adopted the Constitution, which established and outlined the three branches of the federal government.

Also known as Constitution Day, this holiday was established by a Congressional Act in 2004. The Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times since then, including the Bill of Rights, which were the first ten amendments.

911 Day / Patriot Day
Honoring and remembering those who lost their lives in the 2001 World Trade Center and the Pentagon attacks.

photo credit: via flickr.

Labor Day (US)
The first Monday in September is an annual and national tribute to the contributions that US workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of the country.

Labor Day is generally observed with parades, speeches, barbecues, and picnics. The day has also become the unofficial end of the summer season with many colleges, secondary and elementary schools beginning classes immediately after the Labor Day weekend.

More info: Labor Day

photo credit: zach.wise via flickr
source: Holidays on the Net – Labor Day