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COLUMBUS DAY

When is Columbus Day in 2023?

Columbus Day in 2023 is on the Monday, 9th of Oct (10/09/2023).

Columbus Day is on the 282th day of 2023. There are 83 days left in the year.

Columbus Day Facts

  • Date: Oct 09, 2023
  • 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 1942. 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 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SundaySunJan 01, 2023Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 02, 2023Jan 02New Year's Day Holiday
MondayMonJan 16, 2023Jan 16M L King Day
MondayMonFeb 20, 2023Feb 20Presidents' Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07Good Friday
SundaySunApr 09, 2023Apr 09Easter Sunday
MondayMonMay 29, 2023May 29Memorial Day
MondayMonJun 19, 2023Jun 19Juneteenth
TuesdayTueJul 04, 2023Jul 04Independence Day
MondayMonSep 04, 2023Sep 04Labor Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Columbus Day
SaturdaySatNov 11, 2023Nov 11Veterans Day
ThursdayThuNov 23, 2023Nov 23Thanksgiving Day
MondayMonDec 25, 2023Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 12, 2023Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
ThursdayThuJan 19, 2023Jan 19National Popcorn Day
WednesdayWedFeb 01, 2023Feb 01National Signing Day
ThursdayThuFeb 02, 2023Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 03, 2023Feb 03National Wear Red Day
ThursdayThuFeb 09, 2023Feb 09National Pizza Day
MondayMonFeb 13, 2023Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 14, 2023Feb 14Valentine's Day
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15National Bagel Day
SaturdaySatFeb 18, 2023Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
TuesdayTueFeb 21, 2023Feb 21National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 22, 2023Feb 22National Margarita Day
FridayFriMar 03, 2023Mar 03National Employee Appreciation Day
TuesdayTueMar 07, 2023Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 12, 2023Mar 12Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 13, 2023Mar 13National Napping Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Walkout Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Pi Day
MondayMonMar 20, 2023Mar 20National Proposal Day
ThursdayThuMar 23, 2023Mar 23National Puppy Day
ThursdayThuMar 30, 2023Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06National Burrito Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07National Beer Day
TuesdayTueApr 11, 2023Apr 11National Pet Day
WednesdayWedApr 12, 2023Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 04, 2023May 04National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 14, 2023May 14Mother's Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Towel Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 02, 2023Jun 02National Donut Day
ThursdayThuJun 08, 2023Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 18, 2023Jun 18Father's Day
WednesdayWedJun 21, 2023Jun 21National Selfie Day
ThursdayThuJun 22, 2023Jun 22National Kissing Day
TuesdayTueJul 11, 2023Jul 11Amazon Prime Day
ThursdayThuJul 13, 2023Jul 13National French Fry Day
FridayFriJul 14, 2023Jul 14National Nude Day
SundaySunJul 16, 2023Jul 16National Ice Cream Day
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19National Hot Dog Day
MondayMonJul 24, 2023Jul 24National Tequila Day
SaturdaySatJul 29, 2023Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
TuesdayTueAug 01, 2023Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 06, 2023Aug 06National Sister Day
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
TuesdayTueOct 03, 2023Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Vodka Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Taco Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 21, 2023Oct 21Sweetest Day
SundaySunOct 29, 2023Oct 29National Cat Day
TuesdayTueOct 31, 2023Oct 31Halloween
FridayFriNov 03, 2023Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 24, 2023Nov 24Black Friday
MondayMonNov 27, 2023Nov 27Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 02, 2023Dec 02Candle Day
SaturdaySatDec 09, 2023Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15National Ugly Sweater day