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COLUMBUS DAY

When is Columbus Day in 2024?

Columbus Day in 2024 is on the Monday, 14th of Oct (10/14/2024).

Columbus Day is on the 288th day of 2024. There are 78 days left in the year.

Columbus Day Facts

  • Date: Oct 14, 2024
  • National
  • Also Called: Day of the Race
  • Celebrations: Parades, Family reunions, Picnics, Fireworks and Public art events
Columbus Day iImage Credit: flickr.com/sean94112

Celebrated in most states of the United States, Columbus Day is a federal holiday to remember the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the country. Christopher was an Italian explorer who is believed to have discovered America in October 1492. Columbus Day is observed on the second Monday in October and falls on the same day as Thanksgiving Day in Canada. As a federal holiday, most government offices remain closed.

About Christopher Columbus

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in the year 1451. Although Columbus had very little formal education, he was a dedicated self-taught man who defeated all odds to become one of the greatest explorers in the world. By the time he was 32 years of age, he had already been promoted to the position of a chief mariner while working with the Portuguese Merchant Service. The Columbus Day meaning is derived from explorer Christopher Columbus victory as the first man to discover North America.

History Of Columbus Day

Columbus Day has been observed as early as 1792. According to historians, Christopher Columbus, was the first to discover America. King Ferdinand of Spain who had hoped to sail to India sponsored that expedition. Columbus set off with three ships namely the Nina, The Santa Maria and The Pinta. He had intended to take a western sea route to China, India and the Islands of Asia. However, due to the unreliable geographical calculations those days, he found himself in the Bahamas two months later.

The first Columbus Day was celebrated in New York on October 12, 1792, to mark the 300th anniversary of Christopher's discovery of America. The day was also observed in 1892 after President Benjamin Harrison called upon all people to celebrate the 400th anniversary.

In 1971, President Richard Nixon officially declared Columbus Day holiday as the second Monday of October.

Controversy About Columbus Day

Many people have argued that Columbus should not be honored but rather condemned for his actions. They say that it is because of Columbus that the European settlers landed in America leading to colonization, slave trade and the loss of history and culture of the native people of America.

Which States Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day?

Although Columbus Day is celebrated in major part of the United States, some states do not take part in the celebrations. These include Hawaii, South Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, and Alaska. Instead, they celebrate the day with an alternative holiday. For instance, Hawaii observes it as Discoverer's Day, Vermont calls it Indigenous Day while South Dakota celebrates Native American Day.

How Columbus Day Is Celebrated?

Some of the Columbus Day traditions observed on this day include lessons about Christopher Columbus and his voyage. The celebrations are incomplete without traditional dances and a taste of the Italian-American heritage such as street fairs with colorful costumes, Italian music, and food. For states that do not recognize Columbus Day, the activities of the day include powwows, lessons about the indigenous American culture and traditional dance events.

The hashtag #ColumbusDay is used on social media to mark this day. You can, therefore, use it to send Happy Columbus Day messages to family and friends. Similarly, you can celebrate this holiday by attending or watching one of the community's Columbus Day parades. New York City holds the largest parade in the US. You may also take advantage of the Columbus Day Sales to treat yourself to some good Italian food such as Pizza, Lasagna, and Bolognese. If you love working with kids, give them a chance to become explorers by hosting a scavenger hunt.

Who Gets The Day Off On Columbus Day?

Columbus Day is a public holiday but not a day off in some parts of the United States. Most government offices and banks close on this day. However, a majority of shops remain open especially in the states that do not observe it as a public holiday. Although schools and post offices are not required to close on this day, it is good to check with your institution to be sure.

Columbus Day Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Mon
  • Oct 13, 2008
  • Mon
  • Oct 12, 2009
  • Mon
  • Oct 11, 2010
  • Mon
  • Oct 10, 2011
  • Mon
  • Oct 08, 2012

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 15, 2024Jan 15M L King Day
MondayMonFeb 19, 2024Feb 19Presidents' Day
FridayFriMar 29, 2024Mar 29Good Friday
SundaySunMar 31, 2024Mar 31Easter Sunday
MondayMonMay 27, 2024May 27Memorial Day
WednesdayWedJun 19, 2024Jun 19Juneteenth
ThursdayThuJul 04, 2024Jul 04Independence Day
MondayMonSep 02, 2024Sep 02Labor Day
MondayMonOct 14, 2024Oct 14Columbus Day
MondayMonNov 11, 2024Nov 11Veterans Day
ThursdayThuNov 28, 2024Nov 28Thanksgiving Day
WednesdayWedDec 25, 2024Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day