October Holidays

Columbus Day: Columbus Day is the legal holiday reminding us of Christopher Columbus, who discovered America on October 12, 1492. The holiday comes on the second Monday of October; this year the holiday comes on October 12^th.

Government offices, banks, and some businesses are closed. Some large cities have Columbus Day parades. Many stores have special Columbus Day sales, so shopping is probably the most popular way to celebrate the holiday.

Background: Christopher Columbus was a sailor from Genoa, Italy. The Europeans in Columbus’ day wanted to trade with Japan, China, India, and the East Indies. But the trips were long and dangerous; the only way traders could travel seemed to be by land -- using camels, horses, and elephants to get across mountains and deserts.

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella paid Columbus to find a sea route. When Columbus discovered land, he thought he had reached the East Indies. That is why he called the people who lived there Indians. Today, we still call these Native Americans tribes “Indians”

Today: Americans disagree on the meaning of Columbus Day. For example, many Americans argue that others explorers discovered American before Columbus. Native Americans argue that the “white men” who followed Columbus destroyed their homes and culture. We still celebrate Columbus Day, however, because Columbus set the example for so many other explorers, who continued searching for new ways to travel by sea.

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Halloween: American children celebrate Halloween on October 31st. The name of the holiday means “hallowed” or “holy evening” because it comes before All Saints Day.

Background: All Saints Day was a religious holiday celebrated in parts of England and France. Some priests in this country believed that strange spirits came out to hurt people on this day. To keep these spirits away, people put pictures of ghosts, witches, and other scary creatures in front of their homes. You will also see decorations with cats and pumpkins around Halloween time. People believed that people turn into cats if they do bad things; the pumpkin was a symbol of the human skull.

Today: Children dress in costumes and go from house to house asking for a “trick or treat.” In other words, if you don’t give them something good to eat, they will play a trick on you.

Check with other parents and neighbors about the “trick or treat” customs in your area. Find out about how many children may visit your home so you can buy treats ahead of time. Also find out if older children go trick or treating. For example, in many areas children “go trick or treating” from the age of 3 or 4 until 10 or 11; in other areas, children may go until they are 15 or 16 years old.

Ask your neighbors about safety. If your children are under the age of 6, you probably should take them yourself. You should also know that in the past a few children have received sweets with poison or razor blades inside. These crimes have been rare, but most parents make sure their children’s sweets come from homes they know. Any other sweets should be sealed. Ask your neighbors which areas are safe. In some areas, the stores in the malls give out Halloween treats.

 

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You may learn more about American holidays in Hello! USA, a survival guide on everyday living in the U.S. The "American Holidays" chapter includes religious holidays for Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Hindus. Also included are cultural holidays such as Chinese New Year, Martin Luther King Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.

To see the complete Table of Contents and an excerpt, click on the “Books” section on this site; to order, click on the “Order Form” section.

“(Hello! USA) answers every basic thing one must know about how to live, travel, shop, play, and work in the United States.” Mobility Magazine

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Judy Priven is the Founder and President of Hello! America, Inc., which specializes in international relocation publications. Judy is the award-winning author of many books on international relocation and English language skills. For example,  Hello! USA explains American life and language to international newcomers. Judy gives seminars on everyday living in the U.S. to international students, corporate employees, and both foreign and returning American diplomats.

© Hello! America, Inc. 2009

Last updated October 9, 2009