Columbus Day, a nationally recognized federal holiday, falls on Monday, Oct. 8 this year. While it is an opportunity for some to sleep in on a Monday, the holiday itself is also interesting, and a great time to celebrate and shop (and enjoy your children).
Columbus Day remembers Italian explorer Christopher Columbus’ long journey across the Atlantic Ocean to the “New World." The voyage was victorious when land was first spotted on Oct. 12, 1492.
The day is also considered a celebration of Italian heritage, as well as a huge shopping day in the U.S.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is responsible for making the holiday a federal one in 1937.
What is closed on Columbus Day?
Most banks, government offices and the U.S. Postal Service will be closed to observe the holiday.
Here in Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, there is no garbage pick-up (that all resumes Tuesday), Village Halls are closed, and of course, there's no school. Which leaves many parents home from work wondering what to do with those kids.
Today, you can venture to Scarsdale for the Columbus Day-WNC Vacation Club: Creatures of the Night. There's the annual Columbus Day Carnival happening in Eastchester.
Here in town things seem to be leaning more to the dark side than Columbus with both Lyndhurst After Dark and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Lantern Tours available today.
J&G Italian deli owner John in Sleepy Hollow said when asked if he had any specials today, "everything we have is always special!"
Tell us: What are your plans for Columbus Day? Shopping? Relaxation? Italian food? Celebration? Share here.
