Columbus Day celebrates Chritopher Columbus' arrival on the shore of American soil on October 12, 1492.

His discovery of the new world lead to European settlement of the North and South American continents.

The First celebration of Columbus Day took place October 12, 1792 in New York City. It commerated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the New World. The first Italian-American celebration of Columbus Day (which was celebrated as an Italian Heritage day) was held in New York City in 1866. The Italian community in San Francisco, California held their first Columbus Day Heritage celebration in 1869.

In 1892 President Harrison urged the American people to take part in a country wide celebration of Columbus Day to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus' discovery of the Americas. ( a bit of sidebar info: It was during this event that Francis Bellamy wrote the Pledge of Allegience and also the day it was recited for the first time)

In 1934 The Knights of Columbus started campaigning for Columbus Day to become a recognized holiday. In 1937, President Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a national holiday to be observed on October 12.

In 1971 President Nixon made the official change of the celebratory day to the second Monday in October.

      In 1905 Colorado made Columbus Day an official state holiday.  This was done before it was a national holiday.

     Alaska doesn't recognize Columbus Day at all.

     It isn't considered a legal holiday in Nevada either.

     South Dakota celebrates the holiday as Native American Day

     Hawaii's government doesn't consider Columbus Day a holiday.  On that date they do celebrate Discoverer's Day.  This is celebrated for the Polynesian discovery of the Hawaiin Islands.