Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus, an Italian-born explorer, in the Americas in 1492. Columbus Day 2018 occurs on Monday, October 8.
Columbus Day unofficially was celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th Century, but did not become a federal holiday until 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage.
Columbus set sail in August 1492, bound for Asia with backing from the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Columbus intended to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia. Instead, on October 12, he landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings established colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland during the 10th Century.
Columbus Day was originally observed every October 12, but was changed to the second Monday in October beginning in 1971.
Source: www.history.com
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