Cheap Flights for Columbus Day
Columbus Day is an annual federal holiday that is observed in most states across the United States. The holiday falls on the second Monday of each October and this year, Columbus Day will be observed on Monday, October 13 which gives Americans a much-anticipated long weekend to enjoy the fall weather. Around the nation celebrations, banquets and fall activities are planned in order to commemorate the founding of America. Visitors will find this time of year a perfect time to travel with affordable airfares being offered and mild fall temperatures setting in.
Columbus Day history is quite interesting and sometimes disputed depending on whom you speak with. Christopher Columbus, originally of Italian descent and known as Cristoforo Colombo, is credited with being the first European to discover the land of America. He was funded by the King and Queen of Portugal in 1492 to sail across the Atlantic Ocean in order to find a sailing route to India. Instead of reaching the famed trading country, Columbus landed in America. Although he founded the Americas, his reputation is often questioned with his cruel treatment of indigenous peoples when he arrived.
The Columbus Day holiday started off as a small celebration and then expanded into a national day of commemoration for the explorer who changed the course of world history with his discovery. In 1866, the Italian population in New York City decided to dedicate a day of celebration for their ancestor. In the following years, Italian communities around the country organized banquets, parades and festivals in honor of Columbus and October 12 became known as Columbus Day. In 1937 October 12 was proclaimed to be the official Columbus Day and since 1971 the holiday has been observed on the second Monday of each October. The origination of Columbus Day is a true testament to the varied history and cultures of the United States.
Around the country, there is a wide array of Columbus Day activities that take place in order to remember the journey that Columbus made. Every state across the nation hosts events except for Hawaii, Alaska and South Dakota. The most visited destination during the October long weekend is San Francisco as their celebrations are the most famous and offer the most fun. Airline tickets are readily available and it is a great way for visitors to get a feel of the American spirit and the pride that Italian-Americans show for their heritage.
Booking cheap flights to San Francisco through Fare Buzz will secure your spot at the schedule of events for the Columbus Day weekend. San Francisco is known for having one of the oldest continuous celebrations of Columbus and the Italian-American community throughout the city takes the day very seriously. The annual Columbus Day parade is quite a spectacle and was established in 1868. This year, the parade will wind from Fisherman’s Wharf to North Beach and the colorful floats are estimated to be bigger and better than ever. After the parade there are a variety of celebrations held around the city with many of them focused around North Beach. Many Italian restaurants and stalls are set up so visitors can appreciate Italian food and wine. There are also numerous performances and musical events held throughout the weekend. Securing cheap tickets to San Francisco guarantees an unforgettable Columbus Day celebration.