Fun Facts About Columbus Day!

1. One of Christopher Columbus’ ships, the Santa Maria, crashed on the coast of the Americas and couldn’t make the voyage back to Spain.

2. Columbus Day is known as Día de la Hispanidad or Fiesta National in Spain.

3. It is the least observed federal holiday, only 10% of businesses close and take the day off.

4. Columbus Day was originally a fixed date on October 12, but it was changed to the second Monday of October in 1971.

5. Columbus started sailing when he was just 15 years old.

6. Once Columbus’ voyage began in August of 1492, it was 35 days before his crew saw land.

7. He sailed to the New World 3 times.

8. Columbus died only two years after his last visit to the New World.

9.  On Columbus’ second voyage to the New World, he brought horses.

10. New York City has the largest Columbus Day parade.

11. Some states and cities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

12. Hawaii celebrates Discoverers’ Day, and South Dakota celebrates Native American Day on the second Monday in October.

13. Some Latin American countries celebrate October 12^th as the Dia de la Raza or Day of the Race.

14. The District of Columbia was named after Christopher Columbus.

15. Christopher Columbus landed on the Bahamas. Throughout his voyages he discovered different islands in the Caribbean, but he never discovered North America.

Christopher Columbus facts for kids, columbus day facts for kids. Kids Play and Create. (2020, October 18). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.kidsplayandcreate.com/christopher-columbus-facts-for-kids-columbus-day-facts-for-kids/.

Columbus Day facts. Soft Schools. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.softschools.com/facts/holidays/columbus_day_facts/152/.

Columbus Day-Indigenous Peoples' Day fast facts | CNN. CNN. (2021, September 22). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/14/us/columbus-day-fast-facts/index.html.

Holidays. Ducksters. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2021, from https://www.ducksters.com/holidays/columbus_day.php.