Columbus Day closings

It is Columbus Day today – the day set aside to commemorate the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. History.com says the day was first set aside as a federal holiday in 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. But throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy, and many alternatives to the holiday have proposed since the 1970s including Indigenous People’s Day, now celebrated in many U.S. states and cities.  Because of the holiday you’ll find most federal, state and local governmental officers are closed today. The courts are closed, most schools and libraries are closed. There will also be no mail delivery today.