Good morning, I would like to welcome you to our series sharing Unique Holidays: October 10th, 2021. I would like to ask you to check out the Holidays being celebrated today and let me know which one you most want to celebrate and why.
Columbus Day – second Monday of month
Date When Celebrated : Second Monday in October
We’ve been celebrating Columbus Day since 1792 when in that year, New York City held the first Columbus Day Celebration commemorating the 500th anniversary of Columbus landing in 1492.
For decades and decades, American History books and school teaching, told us Christopher Columbus discovered America. What those books and teachings did not give credit, to was the fact that Native Americans were already here. Native Americans truly discovered America. It also gave little mention, to the fact that Nordic explorers beginning with Leif Erikson had travelled down the Eastern coast of Canada hundreds of years before Columbus arrived.
Today, we celebrate Columbus Day for what it accurately is. Columbus did discover the existence of the New World for Europeans who until then, believed the world was flat and ended somewhere in the Atlantic and, the focus is now more about discovery of the “New World”, and less upon Columbus himself.
Columbus Day is increasingly referred to as “Discoverer’s Day”.
Key facts (in case you forgot them):
- Columbus Discovered America in 1492 when he originally set sail on August 3, 1492, but had trouble with the ships, stopping at the Canary Islands for a month. Then the ships left the Canary Islands on September 3,1492.
- Columbus travelled with three ships: the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria
- While Columbus was an Italian, he could not procure funding in Italy, so he turned to the King of Spain. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella provided the funding for Columbus trip.
- Christopher Columbus did not land on the U.S. mainland. He landed on an island in the Caribbean. While many believe he landed on San Salvador, there is still debate on which Island Columbus originally landed on.
In recent years, Columbus has fallen out of favor to many people for a number of reasons. First, in 1492, Columbus did not land on the mainland of the American continent. Second, Leif Erikson and Native Americans preceded him. Also, Columbus and many other European discoverers were seen as cruel conquerors and looters. This has given rise to Indigenous People Day.
Anti-Columbus sentiment has grown in both North and South America. Did you know that on Columbus Day, mock trials of Columbus are held in Peru.
Italian Americans are one exception to the rule. They still hold Italian Christopher Columbus in high esteem.
Related Holiday Leif Erikson Day Native American Day
Indigenous People Day – second Monday in October
On the second Monday in October, we celebrate Indigenous People Day which is often referred to as Native American Day. Indigenous People Day is related to another Native American Day, celebrated on the fourth Friday in November. To further complicate matters, what is the definition of Indigenous People and Native Americans? Are they the same? Who exactly are we celebrating and honoring, and why? Are you among the many people who are confused which I am.
Definition of Indigenous versus Native People:
Let’s understand the definitions first, so we clearly understand who were referring to, and to whom were celebrating and honoring. Indigenous people are those who first populated an area before anyone else. Natives are defined as people who have lived in an area since birth. Yes, you are Native to where you were born. It became confusing when the term “American Indian”, considered to be offensive, was changed to “Native American”. However most, if not all of us, are comfortable using the term “Native American”, to refer to people who are Indigenous to the United States.
Now let’s get a better understanding of some conflicting holidays:
Native American Day – Originated in the State of California, this day has been around since 1939 and it wasn’t until 1977, that Indigenous People Day began to take root. Often also called “Native American Day”, it is more widespread, with international meaning than the original Native American Day. More on Native American Day
Columbus Day – This holiday was originated in 1972, to honor and celebrate Christopher Columbus, who was the first person to discover America. Over the past few decades, many have come to the realization that Columbus wasn’t the first person, not even the first European to land in, and “discover” America. Many say Columbus did not even discover America, as in 1492 he did not land on the Mainland of the American Continent. It also became widely recognized that Europeans often came as conquerors, and worse. More on Columbus Day
Leif Erikson Day – Around 1002 A.D. Leif Erikson from Greenland, a European country, sailed down the Eastern coast of North America as far as New Foundland, and his crew spent the winter there. While has was the first European to come to America, he was not the first. Indigenous people…. Native Americans…. were already there. More on Leif Erikson Day
All of this leads us to today…. Indigenous People Day
Efforts to recognize, and protect indigenous people began in 1977. This occurred at a United Nations Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations. It was worldwide in scope. In the U.S., the effort has steadily grown, partially to downplay or even eliminate Columbus Day. Dozens of Cities and States in the U.S, recognize Indigenous People Day. Some, not all, have used this Holiday in place of Columbus Day.
This day is used to honor and celebrate Indigenous people, those very first settlers of a region. Who were the original inhabitants of your City or Town? Do you know what tribe they belonged to? Are they still in your area? Today is a great day to learn more about them and your local library or town historian are great sources for this information.
Historical Societies and local government should use this day to provide educational programs, lectures and exhibits on the indigenous people who first lived and worked the land in your area.
Related Holidays:
International Newspaper Carrier Day
Newspaper Carrier Day is celebrated on September 4
International Newspaper Carrier Day is observed on October 10
Newspaper Carrier Day honors everyone who is now, or once was, a newspaper carrier and this list includes thousands, if not millions, of people. Years ago, a newspaper carrier was primarily populated by kids, from pre-teen through approximately sixteen. At that age, many, but not all, kids moved to restaurant, or grocery store jobs.
About Newspaper Carrier Day:
This day commemorates the hiring of the very first newspaper carrier. Newspaper Carriers date back to the early 1800s. On September 10, 1833, 10 year old Barney Flaherty became the first newspaper carrier. Benjamin Day, publisher of The New York Sun, hired Barney Flaherty to sell papers for his penny press. The only job requirement, was that Barney Flaherty had to show that he could throw a newspaper into the bushes.
Now, few kids deliver papers anymore except in small towns. But, “Carrier Day” tradition lives and this job is now largely held by adults, many of them delivering the paper from their cars.
About International Newspaper Carrier Day:
This day recognizes the importance of newspaper carriers in getting the newspaper each day into the hands of millions of readers and honors carriers all over the world, as they deliver the paper diligently in all kinds of weather conditions.
Even President Ronald Reagan got in on the act when on October 6, 1982, he wrote a brief message supporting this day
History and Origin of Newspaper Carrier Day:
We found lots of references on Newspaper Carrier Day. However, we do not know (yet) who created the Holiday.
We do not know who established International Newspaper Carrier Day and The Newspaper Association of America appears to take some ownership of this Holiday, and publishes the dates for this event and they also sponsor an International Newspaper Carrier Week.
President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation making October 26, 1982 Newspaper Carrier Appreciation Day.
Also see Newspaper Association of America
National Angel Food Cake Day is a great day to bake a Cake. Watch the smiles on your families faces, as you hand them the mixing spoon to lick off the batter!
Did you know a Angel food cake is a Sponge Cake and Angel Food Cakes can be simple, or fancy. I have a question for you have you had a a Jell-O Angel Food Cake? Because I haven’t but I would like to try one. If I make this cake would you like a slice?
Its really easy to enjoy National Angel Food Cake Day all you need to do is bake or purchase an Angel Food Cake. Making an Angel Food Cake is the best way to celebrate this day. A homemade Cake beats a store bought one. T
Angel Food Cake contains no fat and the Cake has no Butter, Cream or Egg Yolks.
History and Origin of National Angel Food Cake Day:
Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of this day but we traced it’s origin to 2012.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
