Ancient Roots, Modern Holidays for Kids - Columbus Day
For Kids: Perhaps you have heard the saying: "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in fourteen hundred ninety two." Christopher Columbus was a famous explorer. He is credited with landing in the Americas in 1492. He was not the first to land in the "New World" as the Americas were soon called. But he is certainly one of the most famous.
The round trip, including his adventures in the New World, took eight months. Columbus was paid well for his trip. Columbus was highly respected and, thanks to his adventures, he was also quite wealthy. He was happily married. He had a couple of kids. He was incredibly stubborn. To the day he died, he insisted that he had, in fact, discovered the back door to China.
In the United States, we used to celebrate a holiday called Columbus Day on the second Monday in October. But recently, that holiday has been renamed Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. Some people have decided to drop Columbus out of this holiday entirely. That does not change the fact that Columbus was a great explorer. He accomplished amazing things.
To learn more about the explorer, Columbus, click here!
Columbus Cartoon PowerPoint written by Lin Donn, illustrated by Phillip Martin
Christopher Columbus (cartoon video, biography)
American Indians for Kids (Donn)
American Indian Online Interactive Free Games
For Teachers:
Columbus Day? Indigenous People Day? Suggested student activities