Some Columbus Day Facts
Reason We Celebrate Columbus Day:
The anniversary of the discovery of America.
About Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451.
He wanted to find a trade route to get to India and China because land travel was risky. Sponsored Links
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After King Henry of Portugal declined his request for ships and sailors to discover the way to the Indies, he approached Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand of Spain.
Columbus set sail with three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria and ninety sailors on August 3rd, 1492.
They stopped for supplies on the Canary Islands and left on September 6.
On October 12, they landed in Haiti.
He thought he was in the Indies and called the natives Indians. He named the island San Salvador and claimed it for the King and Queen of Spain.
He returned with two ships to Spain, leaving some sailors on the island.
He then returned to the island with 17 ships and 1500 men. He then sailed to other islands including, Honduras, Venezuela, and Panama. It is believed that he also reached the coast of Florida, although this fact is sometimes disputed.
He died in Spain in 1506.
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In 1792, a ceremony was organized by the Society of St. Tammany, or Colombian Order and held in New York City. The celebration honored Columbus and marked the 300th anniversary of the landing.
In 1866, the Italian population of New York organized a celebration of the discovery of America.
In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed the 400th anniversary.
In 1937, every October 12 was proclaimed as Columbus Day by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In 1968, Columbus Day was declared a federal public holiday on the second Monday in October by President Lyndon B. Johnson.