When did the Columbus Day start?
About Columbus Day Holiday
Columbus Day is an American holiday that honors the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Originally celebrated on October 12, it was recently changed to the second Monday in October in 1971. The holiday celebrates Italian-American heritage, and a number of Italian-American organizations have taken part in celebrations over the years. In some communities, parades, religious services, and various cultural events are held on Columbus Day. The holiday is also used to recognize the landfall of Columbus in the New World and all the positive and negative effects his arrival had on indigenous people in the region.
Columbus Day – Overview
Every October twelve, people around the world celebrate what is most commonly known as ‘Columbus Day’, to commemorate the day when Christopher Columbus and his crew arrived in America. Officially known as ‘Día de las Américas’ or ‘Festival of the Americas’ in Spanish-speaking countries, it is a an opportunity to remember and celebrate the legacy of Columbus as the explorer who opened the Americas and the Caribbean to international trade and exploration. This article will explore the background to Columbus Day and its celebration in various countries.
Columbus Day is a holiday that celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Here are some countries where Columbus Day or a similar holiday is observed:
- United States: In many parts of the United States, Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October. However, not all states or regions observe it, and some have replaced it with alternative celebrations like Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- Italy: While not a public holiday, some Italians, particularly those in Liguria (Columbus’s birthplace), acknowledge Columbus Day.
- Spain: Known as “Fiesta Nacional de España” (Spain’s National Day) or “Día de la Hispanidad,” it is celebrated on October 12. It not only commemorates Columbus’s landing but also celebrates Spanish heritage and culture.
- Latin America: Many countries in Latin America observe “Día de la Raza” or “Day of the Race” on October 12, which celebrates the region’s indigenous heritage and acknowledges the complex history surrounding Columbus’s arrival.
- Bahamas: Known as “Discovery Day” until 2001, it is now celebrated as “National Heroes Day” in October but still marks Columbus’s arrival.
- Argentina: Celebrates “Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural” (Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity) on the second Monday of October, which replaced Columbus Day.
- Venezuela: Celebrates “Día de la Resistencia Indígena” (Day of Indigenous Resistance) on October 12, replacing Columbus Day to honor the indigenous populations.
Please note that in many places, Columbus Day has been subject to controversy and change due to the recognition of the negative impacts of European colonization on indigenous peoples.
While Columbus Day originally commemorated Christopher Columbus’s landing in the New World, many Latin American countries now observe this date (October 12) with different names and connotations, emphasizing their indigenous culture and heritage, and the resistance against Spanish colonialism. Here are some countries and how they mark the day:
- Argentina: The day is officially known as “Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural” (Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity).
- Chile: It is celebrated as “Día del Descubrimiento de Dos Mundos” (Day of the Discovery of Two Worlds).
- Colombia: It’s recognized as “Día de la Raza y la Hispanidad” (Day of the Race and Hispanicity).
- Mexico: It’s referred to as “Día de la Raza” (Day of the Race) to celebrate the mixed indigenous and Spanish heritage of Mexicans.
- Venezuela: The day is marked as “Día de la Resistencia Indígena” (Day of Indigenous Resistance), highlighting the resistance of the native peoples against the colonizers.
- Costa Rica: In 1994, it changed the official holiday from “Día de la Raza” to “Día de las Culturas” (Day of Cultures) to recognize the mix of cultures that make up Costa Rica.
- Peru: It is observed as “Día de los Pueblos Originarios y del Diálogo Intercultural” (Day of the Original Peoples and Intercultural Dialogue).
- Uruguay: The holiday is referred to as “Día de las Américas” (Day of the Americas).
- Nicaragua: It’s known as “Día de la Resistencia Indígena, Negra y Popular” (Day of Indigenous, Black, and Popular Resistance).
While the names and focus of the celebrations vary, the common thread is a shift from celebrating the arrival of Columbus to honoring the diverse and rich cultures, histories, and resistance of the indigenous peoples of Latin America.
Historical Context
Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, sometime between August and October of 1451. He had a troubled early life, and at the age of fourteen he began to apprentice as a navigator and sailor in his home city. By his mid-twenties, he was a seasoned sailor and explorer, having sailed on trips to the Spanish Canary Islands, the Azores, and even Africa. In 1484, he petitioned King Ferdinand of Spain to fund his voyage, which he proposed to make by travelling east across the Atlantic Ocean to reach Asia.
His mission was to discover a new route to the Indies, to establish trade relations with the inhabitants of the East, and to obtain spices, gems and other riches from them. Columbus and his crew eventually reached land on October 12, 1492, in the Bahamas, ushering in the era of European exploration and colonization of the New World.
The first ‘Columbus Day celebration’ took place on October 21, 1792 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of his voyage, with a parade and public commemoration. It was attended by US President George Washington. The annual celebration of the event later gained more national support after a magazine article written by Washington Irving in 1828 declared Columbus as “the discoverer of America”. Since then, many countries have held parades, feasts, and various other special events to commemorate the historic voyage of Columbus.
Celebration by Country
United States of America
Each year on October 12, schools, federal buildings, and other institutions throughout the United States hold special events and activities to commemorate ‘Columbus Day’. Aside from the official celebration and the parade, many different events are held yearly such as religious services, lectures, and re-enactments of the historic voyage.
In addition, many Italian-American communities plan their own festivities to honour the explorer. This usually consists of a parade with different events as well as a dinner to honour the achievement of Columbus. September 21 is also celebrated by some Italian-American communities as ‘Discovery Day’.
Spain
Columbus Day is also celebrated in Spain annually on October 12. Here, the holiday is officially known as ‘Día de la Hispanidad’, or ‘Hispanic Day’. This is also the day of the Spanish National Holiday, as it marks the day when Columbus returned from his first voyage to the New World in 1492.
For this celebration, the provinces of Spain and the cities of the Balearic Islands hold special festivities to honour the explorer. The parades feature a wide variety of performances, including theatrical troupes, religious processions, folk dances and sporting competitions.
In addition to the parade, there are also religious services held to thank God for the successful voyage. Governments also mark the important day with special awards and speeches to commemorate the achievements of Christopher Columbus.
Italy
In Italy, the first day of October is sometimes called ‘Columbus Day’ and is marked with various celebrations. This is mainly because it was the day when Columbus first made landfall on what would become the Caribbean islands.
Although it is not officially recognized as a national holiday in Italy, several cities mark the occasion with parades and other festivities. These parades usually feature performances that tell the story of Columbus and his voyage, as well as popular music, dance, and other performances. Many Italian-American communities around the world, including those in the United States, also mark the occasion with various festivals and celebrations.
Caribbean Nations
Many of the islands of the Caribbean Sea, which was the destination of Columbus’s voyage, also mark October 12 as ‘Columbus Day’. This day is seen as an opportunity for these countries to remember and celebrate the legacy of Columbus and recognize his role in the history of their nations.
The festivities in the Caribbean usually involve feasts, parades, and cultural performances that honor Christopher Columbus and his achievement. Some countries, such as the Dominican Republic, also mark the day with special ceremonies at sunset. During these ceremonies, people around the country watch the sunset from their homes in tribute to the great explorer’s historic journey.
Conclusion
Columbus Day is celebrated around the world and is a way for people to remember and commemorate the voyages of Christopher Columbus and his journey of exploration that would open up the Americas and the Caribbean to wider world. Each country celebrates in its own distinct way, with parades, lectures, musical and theatrical performances, religious services, and special banner and flag ceremonies. It serves as an indication that the spirit of exploration and discovery is alive in the modern world.
How to Say "Columbus Day" In Different Languages?
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Dia do Descobrimento (pt-BR)
- English
- Columbus Day (en-US)
- English
- Columbus Day (en-GB)
- English
- Columbus Day (en-AU)
- English
- Columbus Day (en-SG)
- French
- Journée de Cristophe Colomb (fr-FR)
- German
- Kolumbustag (de-DE)
- Hebrew
- קנדה (he-IL)
- Italian
- Giornata di Cristoforo Colombo (it-IT)
- Japanese
- コロンブスデー (ja-JP)
- Korean
- 콜럼버스데이 (ko-KR)
- Mandarin Chinese
- 哥伦布日 (zh-TW)
- Polish
- Narodowy Dzień Krzysztofa Kolumba (pl-PL)
- Romanian
- Paste (ro-RO)
- Russian
- День Колумба (ru-RU)
- Spanish
- Día de la Raza (es-ES)
- Spanish
- Día de la Raza (es-MX)
- Spanish
- Día de la Raza (es-AR)
- Swedish
- Kolumbusdagen (sv-SE)
- Turkish
- Kolomb'un Günü (tr-TR)
Columbus Day Also Called
Indigenous Peoples Day.Countries where "Columbus Day" is celebrated:
- :: Europe
- :: Italy
- :: Spain
- :: Central America
- :: Mexico
- :: Nicaragua
- :: North America
- :: Costa Rica
- :: United States of America
- :: South America
- :: Argentina
- :: Chile
- :: Colombia
- :: Uruguay
- :: Venezuela
- :: The Caribbean
- :: The Bahamas
FUN FACT:
In year 1937, Columbus Day is celebrated on October 14 for the first time.HOLIDAY CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!
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