Columbus Day 2012

US | admin | October 8, 2012 at 6:28 pm

Columbus Day 2012 Observed in US: Americans will celebrate Columbus Day with great fervor and excitement on October 8, 2012. The historic day marks Christopher Columbus’ arrival at the Americas, and thus the discovery of the country. The day will be marked by celebrations that include pageantry, parades and other somber activities.

Among other states, New York City is fully prepped up to celebrate the Columbus Day holiday. The impressive parade at New York will start from Fifth Avenue at 11:30 am, and march all the way to 72^nd Street – it is likely to end by 3:00 pm. Every parade has a grand marshal; this year it is renowned philanthropist and investor Mario J. Gabelli.

A Columbus Day mass is also held every year in memory of Christopher Columbus’ victorious discovery. In New York City, the mass will be held at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 9:30 am. New York celebrates Columbus Day more than any other state in the United States; the state has some landmarks that are reminiscent of the historic day. These include the Columbus Circle, the Time Warner Center, Globe Sculpture, Dante Park and of course, Fifth Avenue.

Columbus Day was originally celebrated on October 12, since the event took place on that very date in 1492. Apart from the United States, other countries like the Bahamas, Spain, Argentina and Uruguay also celebrate this day with full enthusiasm. It first appeared as a nation state holiday in 1906 in Colorado. In 1937 it became a federal holiday. In 1971, the holiday was permanently allotted the second Monday of the month of October.

Some states including Hawaii, Alaska and South Dakota do not observe the Columbus Day holiday. These states, especially South Dakota, closed their doors to the holiday around 22 years ago. The reason was the realization that Columbus made many indigenous people suffer after he allowed the New World into the Americas.