A New World

Today, countries in North and South America celebrate the day that Italian explorer Christopher Columbus - sailing under the flag of Queen Isabella of Spain - first arrived in the America's on October 12, 1492 (Julian calendar: October 21 on the modern Gregorian calender).

In many Latin American countries, it's celebrated as Dia de la Raza (Day of the Race), and other countries have their own name for it (Discovery Day in the Bahamas, National Day in Spain), but here in the US of A we just call it plain old Columbus Day. Fun fact? The first Columbus Day was held in New York City waaaay back in 1792, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing in the New World! Does that make Columbus Day the second oldest American national holiday (after Thanksgiving)? Someone should check on that.

Celebrations differ from state to state, but usually involve the closing of government offices and public schools, Italian-American heritage events, and of course parades! We've got a big one right here in NYC, but the honor for longest-running parade goes to Denver, Colorado: 101 years!

Enjoy your day off if you're one of the lucky ones who has it! And think of what a different world this would be if Columbus hadn't discovered the New World*.

*Leif Ericson would have gotten the credit instead!