Columbus Day: Exploring History and Discovery

A Day to Reflect on Exploration

Each year, on the second Monday in October, the United States observes Columbus Day. The holiday honors the voyage of Christopher Columbus, who crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1492 and opened a new era of exploration and global connection. In 2025, Columbus Day falls on October 13.

The day offers an opportunity to learn about courage, navigation, discovery, and how exploration helped shape the world we know today.

How Columbus Day Began

The first known Columbus Day celebration in America took place in 1792, marking 300 years since Columbus’s journey. It was organized by civic groups in New York City to recognize exploration and progress.

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made Columbus Day a national holiday to honor the spirit of discovery. Later, in 1971, it was moved to the second Monday in October so that families and schools could enjoy a long weekend together—similar to other national holidays like Presidents Day.

Traditions and Educational Activities

Communities across the country celebrate the day in different ways. Some hold parades and cultural festivals, while schools often use the day to explore the Age of Exploration, geography, and early world maps.

Here are a few fun, learning-focused ideas:

• Create a classroom map showing the routes of early explorers.

• Build a model of Columbus’s ships—the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María.

• Read age-appropriate books about exploration and navigation.

• Discuss how courage and curiosity lead to discovery in science, history, and daily life.

Learning from History

Columbus’s voyage was one of many that connected distant parts of the world. It led to exchanges of plants, animals, languages, and ideas that reshaped human history. Learning about these events helps students understand both the achievements and challenges that come with exploration.

While interpretations of history may vary, the enduring lesson is that curiosity, determination, and the desire to learn can change the course of the world.

Why Columbus Day Still Matters

At its heart, Columbus Day is about recognizing the human drive to explore—to cross unknown seas, chart new paths, and expand our understanding of the world. It’s a reminder that exploration isn’t only about geography—it’s also about discovery in science, art, and knowledge.

Whether observed through cultural events, school lessons, or family activities, the day invites reflection on the courage it takes to try something new and the discoveries that follow when we do.

Explore More: Educational Resources

• Library of Congress – “Today in History: October 12”
  Primary sources and early American records about Columbus’s landing and early celebrations.
  ? https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/october-12/