Learn American Holidays - Columbus Day

hi everyone I'm Alicia Columbus Day celebrates the day that Christopher

Columbus first arrived in the Americas the holiday is celebrated on October

12th and in some cities there are very large parades and many other events it's

particularly popular in US cities with large Italian populations though it's

celebrated nationwide

a famous American charity organization is named after Christopher Columbus and

takes part in celebrations during Columbus Day can you guess which one

will show you the answer at the end of this video in Italian American

communities particularly in the larger cities in the u.s. Columbus Day is very

much tied to a celebration of their heritage in addition to the celebration

of Columbus's arrival in the Americas cultural and religious images and

symbols specific to Italian Americans are abundant in Columbus Day parades if

there's one thing that defines Columbus Day celebrations in the u.s. it's the

parade New York City is particularly well known for its large Columbus Day

parade San Francisco has the longest-running Columbus Day celebration

in the United States dating back to 1868 Columbus Day in the u.s. is not

celebrated in every state in fact some US states do not recognize it at all and

many schools remain open on the day there is controversy surrounding this

holiday and it's been changed to a celebration of Native American cultures

in some areas

Columbus didn't realize he'd arrived in the Americas this is why Native

Americans are sometimes referred to as Indians which incidentally some say is

politically incorrect Columbus initially thought he was in the East Indies and

now here's the answer to the quiz do you know a famous American charity

organization that's named after Christopher Columbus and takes part in

celebrations on Columbus Day the Knights of Columbus is a charitable organization

with very strong Italian and Catholic roots they participate in just about

every Columbus Day celebration you'll find them marching among the

participants in any large parade to be sure how is this lesson did you learn

something interesting are there any holidays that celebrate a

famous historical figure in your country please leave a comment at English class

101.com until next time

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