'In 1492, Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue': Petition Calls for Rededicating Columbus Day as Exploration Day

Happy Columbus Day! 

According to History.com, Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates Christopher Columbus' landing in the New World on Oct. 12, 1492. It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until the 1937.

Click here for more on Columbus Day. 

According to Discovery News, there's some controversy surrounding Mr. Columbus, described as "a man who's traditionally celebrated regardless of his accidental discovery, dubious motivations and more-than-questionable actions across the islands of the Caribbean." Did you know there's an online petition pushing to rededicate Columbus Day as Exploration Day? Discovery News reports the rededication would call attention to the spirit of not only Columbus' exploits but also of all those that came after and are yet to come. 

Have a problem with Columbus taking all the credit on today's holiday? Click here to sign the petition in support of Exploration Day. 

What do you think about the call to celebrate Exploration Day instead of Columbus Day? Tell us in comments below. 

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