Columbus day is celebrated in U.S in Puerto Rico, in some parts of Canada and in the cities of Spain and Italy for discovering America in October 12,1492. The day was first celebrated in year 1792. It was also known as “Discovery day”. Parades and banquets were organized for this day. After four hundred years of the famous voyage of Columbus to America. This day became a legal holiday in year 1892. It is said that Columbus was not the first person to explore America but his voyage opened the way for the Europeans to America.
In Latin America this day is also celebrated as “the day of race” .Many events are organized in celebration like parade, fiestas, honoring school children and other people of Latin America.
Many people are against the celebration of Columbus day because they say that America was first discovered by Washington Irving and achievements of Columbus were not enough to honour him by celebrating this day.
History says that Columbus was not the first explorer to land on America but we can say that he was the first European who bought European culture to America. Nowadays, some people has rejected this holiday and friendship day is celebrated in Virgin Islands of U.S and Puerto Rico Virgin on Columbus day.
Italians living in America take it as a great matter of pride that an Italian sailor sailed to America .
Banks, government offices are closed on Columbus day. It is observed as another day off by the public than the celebration of Columbus day . His voyage to America was important instead of his discovery of America.
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