Columbus Day is celebrated on October 12 each year in the United States. Columbus Day is the celebration of honoring Christopher Columbus for discovering the Americas (Ruggiero).
Columbus Day originated when Americans wanted their nation to be recognized for what had been accomplished. They sought after ways to contribute to Christopher Columbus, for he was credited with finding the New World and symbolized their freedom and liberty (Mattern 43).
The Society of St. Tammany, a group that commemorated rights and freedoms, planned for Columbus Day to be celebrated in New York City on October 12 annually. These celebrations inspired other cities in America to hold them, too (Mattern 46, 49).
By 1938, Columbus Day was observed in thirty-four states. Franklin Roosevelt, who was in office that same year, declared that Columbus Day is to be held on every October 12 (Mattern 53).
Columbus Day is a cultural holiday. On this day, many Americans honor Columbus, because he played a significant role in their country’s history (Mattern 55).
Also, this day is especially important to Italian Americans because Columbus, an Italian immigrant, gave them pride because of what he did. He was their motivation for escaping discrimination and starting new lives in America (Mattern 56).
Columbus Day is also a day for Americans to show patriotism, especially children. In school on this holiday, the kids learn about Christopher Columbus’ voyages and how he should be a role model for them (Mattern 56-57).
The Essay on Say No to Columbus Day
It is my belief that although many people celebrate the holiday of Columbus Day, that it should be celebrated because Christopher Columbus was not who he had seemed to be. I have learned that not only did he not know where he was, but he wasn’t even the first to discover the New World. He also committed a mass genocide against the Arawak’s. Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the ...
There are many ways Americans can celebrate Columbus Day. Parades, which are held in big cities, include marching bands, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts troops, and organizations that are affiliated with Catholics and Italian Americans (Mattern 65).
Italian food is served at festivals, where there is also dancing and celebrating. Street paintings and booths are some of the main attractions (Mattern 66).
However, most Americans choose to spending this holiday visiting family, shopping, or doing leisure time activities. The meaning of Columbus Day has faded away (Mattern 66, 68).
Columbus Day should be important to every American. Christopher Columbus was an extraordinary explorer who discovered America and today, is an important figure in American history.
Works Cited
Mattern, Joanne. Celebrate Columbus Day. Berkeley Heights: Enslow Publishers, Inc., 2006. Print.
Ruggiero, Holly. “About Columbus Day.” Web Holidays. Web Holidays, Inc., 1999. Web. 11 Jan. 2008.
