“In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” We’ve been saying this for at least a hundred years (and celebrating Columbus’ passage for even longer), but for many people, Columbus Day is nothing more than a day off from school. But it didn’t start that way! This federal holiday was celebrated by many Americans before its official designation in 1937, and it was often used as a way to honor the heritage of Italian-Americans. It’s only in more recent years that many Americans have soured on the idea of celebrating Columbus’ conquests, but even with the controversy, there’s still plenty of reason to appreciate the day. So, on the second Monday in October, we celebrate Columbus Day!