It is generally accepted that Christopher Columbus was the first European to have discovered the New World of the Americas. Some researchers and proponents of other explorers, though, attribute the first sightings to the early Scandinavian Vikings or the voyages of Irish missionaries, which predate the Columbus visit in 1492.
Although America was named for Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, events honoring Christopher Columbus have been held in the U.S. since 1792. New York honored him with a statue then, and another in 1892.
- Out of pride for its native son, the Italian population of New York City organized the first celebration of the discovery of America on October 12, 1866.
- In 1869, when Italians in San Francisco celebrated October 12, they called it Columbus Day.
- In 1905, Colorado became the first state to observe a Columbus Day.
- In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed every October 12 as Columbus Day. Since 1971, it has been celebrated on the second Monday in October.
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