Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 10, this year and marks the day when Christopher Columbus discovered America. For several states in the US, celebrating Columbus Day holiday is a way of honouring Christopher Columbus for discovering America, while several others celebrate the Italian-American heritage.
Columbus Day recognises the contribution of the Italian-born explorer for making the North American continent known to the rest of the world. He made his historic landing in America on October 12, 1492, but the first Columbus Day celebration was held in 1792.
The day is celebrated across North America, South America and Europe, but with different names. In Spain, the day is celebrated as Fiesta Nacional de España (National Day of Spain) and in Italy it is celebrated as Giornata Nazionale di Cristopher Columbus (National Day of Christopher Columbus).
In several South American countries, the Columbus Day is marked as Día de la Raza (Day of the Race), in Uruguay it is celebrated as Día de las Américas (Day of the Americas) and in Argentina it is celebrated as Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity).
To mark Columbus Day, we bring to you a few inspirational quotes and sayings of Christopher Columbus:
By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.
Riches don't make a man rich, they only make him busier.
When asked by an anthropologist what the Indians called America before the white man came, an Indian said simply, "Ours".
Stood off and on during the night, determining not to come to anchor till morning, fearing to meet with shoals; continued our course in the morning; and as the island was found to be six or seven leagues distant, and the tide was against us, it was noon when we arrived there.
Each day we understand better what the Indians say, and they us, so that very often we are intelligible to each other.
Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.
You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
