Jean Marzollo wrote the rhyming poem in 1492, helping students remember America’s discovery date and adults to remember that the journey is often more fruitful than the destination.

 

We celebrate Columbus Day on the second Monday in October each year to signify Christopher Columbus’ arrival to America on October 12, 1492.

 

Colorado first observed Columbus Day on October 12, 1906 as it became an official state holiday. More and more people and states began to recognize the observance. In 1937, Columbus Day became a federal holiday. 

 

In 1970, Columbus Day was changed to the current observance on the second Monday in October.

 

Currently 16 states still recognize Columbus Day as a public state holiday with Maine, New Mexico, Vermont and D.C. renaming the day Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2019 while retaining it as an official holiday.  While it remains one of 11 federal holidays on the U.S. calendar, the majority of states now treat the day as any other workday. 

 

I understand the controversy. For many indigenous peoples, Columbus is viewed not as a discoverer, but rather as a colonizer whose arrival led to the forceful taking of land and set the stage for widespread death and loss of indigenous ways of life.

 

The child in me pictures paper ships and trade routes to Asia and a surprising discovery that led to a new nation. I want to celebrate the holidays I celebrated as a child. 

 

But I also can no longer bury my head in the sand about things that I find unpleasant. Perhaps today, if we don’t want to celebrate Columbus, we can celebrate the discovery of America and pay tribute to all whose sacrifices led to this great nation.