Saturday, October 11, 2008

Library Closed for Columbus Day

Here is an excerpt from one of our databases, WorldBook Online, as to why we celebrate Columbus day:

Columbus Day honors the first voyage to America by the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus. Columbus first sailed to America from Spain in 1492. Columbus Day became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1971. It is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

The first Columbus Day celebration was held in 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of the landing. Columbus Day has been celebrated annually in the United States since 1920. Although the land Columbus reached was not named after him, many other places are. For example, the Republic of Colombia in South America and the District of Columbia in the United States both bear his name.

Many Latin American countries celebrate October 12 as the Dia de la Raza (Day of the Race). It honors the Spanish background and culture of the peoples of Latin America.


"Columbus Day." World Book Kids. 2008. [Lovettsville Library.] 6 Oct. 2008 .

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