Columbus Day is an official holiday in the United States in memory of Christopher Columbus's landing in the Americas on Oct. 12, 1492. In the Bahamas, it is also known as Discovery Day.

Christopher Columbus was a person who believed that the earth was round. On Aug. 2, 1492, he sailed in the blue ocean in search of the East Indies, and on Oct. 12, in 1492, finally landed on the regions now we called North America. His voyage not only powerfully proved his belief, but also told him the planet was much bigger than he expected. Though the places were already inhabited when he explored there, today we still often say that he discovered the land. However, Columbus was convinced that the region he arrived was East Indies until he died, but actually the land was Americas.

The holiday has been celebrated since the late 18th century. Since the colonial period, people have already celebrated Columbus' navigation. One of the well-known celebrations for the event was in 1792. People in New York and other cities in the United States held their celebration honoring Columbus and the 300th anniversary of his arrival in the New World. In addition, the Italian population in the New York City celebrated the landing in the Bahamas in 1866, and Italians also have their celebration and called the holiday C-Day in 1869.

As for the 400th anniversary in 1892, President Benjamin Harrison made a commemorative proclamation and called on many people of the country to celebrate the event, and there were a number of rituals used to teach ideals of patriotism around themes like supports of war, citizenship boundaries, the importance of loyalty to the nation, and celebrating social progress. Besides, the holiday has been celebrated officially since the early 20th century. It was celebrated as an official state holiday in 1906, and then as a federal holiday in 1937.

Referring to Christopher Columbus, I always tell my children that, what he has brought us is not only the view of €New World€ but also his brave spirit. That's one of the reasons why we admire him. Every year the celebrations of the holiday start, I will pay attention to relevant news and activites, and talk about Columbus' stories with children in my family and neighbours. Even though I drive out for business, sometimes I will watch news and reports on the car DVD player. There are often some wonderful commemorative activities in or around the country.

As far as I am concerned, Christopher Columbus was really a great person whom we should memorize, and Columbus Day is such an important holiday that provides us with a good opportunity to honor the brave hero.

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