Columbus never landed in US. Why is he celebrated?

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, is widely celebrated in the United States, yet he never actually set foot in the continental United States. His journeys, spanning from 1492 to 1502, brought him to islands in the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Columbus's voyages indeed altered world history, but he remained convinced that he had reached Asia, even as he died in 1506.

The U.S. federal holiday known as Columbus Day, first observed in 1937, commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Caribbean. However, the celebration's roots extend beyond Columbus himself. The first recorded celebration took place in New York City in 1792, coinciding with the 300th anniversary of Columbus's arrival and honoring Italian-American heritage.

It's a common misconception that Columbus proved the Earth was round, but historical records indicate he never demonstrated this notion. Moreover, Indigenous peoples inhabited the Americas long before Columbus's arrival. Evidence suggests that Norse explorer Leif Erikson may have reached parts of present-day Canada centuries prior to Columbus's voyage.

While Columbus Day is a federal holiday, services such as federal offices, banks, and the stock market remain operational, with the exception of the U.S. Postal Service, which will be closed on this day. Retail stores, grocery chains, and package delivery services like UPS and FedEx will continue their usual operations, albeit with potential modifications in service schedules.