Columbus Day Facts: Columbus Day honors the day Christopher Columbus discovered America. Columbus Day is celebrated in the USA on the second Monday in October. The official holiday falls on October 12. As with all Federal holidays, when a holiday falls on a Sunday - it is usually observed on Monday. When it falls on a Saturday - the holiday is usually observed on a Friday. Most schools hold programs and special events on that day. The first Columbus Day celebration was held in New York City in 1792 - the city celebrated the 300th anniversary of the landing. Columbus Day has been celebrated annually since 1920. It is a day in which we celebrated Christopher Columbus’ trip from Spain to Hispaniola, North America in 1492. He was sent by King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella of Spain. Columbus' crew sailed on the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Columbus was looking for a faster route to the Far East (Asia) in order to trade for valuable spices. Instead, he found North America, after sailing for five weeks. The ship Santa Maria sank in Hispaniola, but the Niña and the Pinta both made it back to Spain.

In 1492 In fourteen hundred ninety-two Columbus sailed the ocean blue. He had three ships and left from Spain; He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain. He sailed by night; he sailed by day; He used the stars to find his way. A compass also helped him know How to find the way to go. Ninety sailors were on board; Some men worked while others snored. Then the workers went to sleep; And others watched the ocean deep. Day after day they looked for land; They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand. October 12 their dream came true, You never saw a happier crew! "Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried; His heart was filled with joyful pride. But "India" the land was not; It was the Bahamas, and it was hot. The Arakawa natives were very nice; They gave the sailors food and spice. Columbus sailed on to find some gold To bring back home, as he'd been told. He made the trip again and again, Trading gold to bring to Spain. The first American? No, not quite. But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.

Columbus Day Parade

Christopher Columbus Quiz 1 Columbus visited many kings and queens asking for support before who finally agreed to pay for his famed voyage of exploration? Felix and Ileana, the king and queen of Mexico Ferdinand and Isabella, the king and queen of Spain Francois and Iris, the king and queen of France 2 What did Columbus hope to accomplish on his voyage? He wanted to reach India and Southeast Asia to trade for silk and spices. He wanted to reach Italy to search for his family. He wanted to reach Ireland to trade for wool and tea. 3 Why did Columbus refer to the people he met as Indians? Because that is how they introduced themselves Because he mistakenly thought he had arrived in the East Indies Because in those times, it was known as a term of affection 4 How long before Columbus first came to what he called the New World had people lived in North and South America? No one lived in the Americas before Columbus arrived. People lived in the Americas for 10-15 years before Columbus arrived. People had lived in the Americas for tens of thousands of years before Columbus arrived. 5 Which of the following was not introduced to the Native Americans by European explorers? Horses and cattle, sugar cane, and iron tools Devastating diseases like smallpox and measles All of these things were introduced to the Native Americans by European explorers

Happy Columbus Day greeting card May the spirit of adventure and discovery always be with you. Wishing you a great Columbus Day!