Columbus Day

Columbus Day celebrates the discovery of the America's by Christopher Columbus on October 12 1492. Columbus Day, also called Discovery Day, is celebrated in other countries in south America as well as some islands, and it is observed in the U.S. as a federal holiday in all states except the following: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Florida celebrates Columbus Day as a local holiday where banks and government offices are still open. States like California and South Dakota, due to the controversy of Columbus's arrival leading to the death of many Native American people, have chosen to observe the same day as a day to celebrate Native Americans in lieu of Columbus.