Columbus Day is celebrated every year on the second Monday of October and marks the arrival of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in America. Columbus Day 2024 will fall on October 14 (the second Monday of the month). Many Americans celebrate the day with Church services and other activities. Large events and parades are held in some places, like New York and San Francisco, to celebrate Columbus Day.
Since the day falls on Monday and is a public holiday in many parts of the US, it always creates a long weekend perfect for partying with family and friends. If you are planning to throw a party or an overnight marathon, it's essential to have a reliable power source like Jackery Solar Generators. The solar battery chargers are compact and powerful enough to charge most outdoor appliances such as smartphones, lights, and portable fans.
Key Takeaways
- Columbus Day 2024 is on October 14, which is the second Monday of the month.
- On Columbus Day, you can expect street fairs with colorful costumes, parades, music, food, and parties.
- On Columbus Day, you can do many meaningful things, such as hosting a cultural feast, attending parades, exploring history, holding a party, and sharing stories.
- Since Columbus Day falls on a Monday, it is one of the public holidays in the US that always creates a three-day weekend.
When is Columbus Day 2024
Columbus Day is annually celebrated on the second Monday of October, and the next Columbus Day will fall on October 14, 2024. In 1937, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared it a national holiday. Since 1971, it has been observed annually as a federal government holiday, with federal offices closed in recognition of the day.
Here's a table that reveals the date, weekday, and area when Columbus Day was celebrated from 2024 - 2031.
|
Year |
Date |
Weekday |
Area |
|
2024 |
October 14 |
Monday |
22 US states |
|
2025 |
October 13 |
Monday |
22 US states |
|
2026 |
October 12 |
Monday |
22 US states |
|
2027 |
October 11 |
Monday |
22 US states |
|
2028 |
October 9 |
Monday |
22 US states |
|
2029 |
October 8 |
Monday |
22 US states |
|
2030 |
October 14 |
Monday |
22 US states |
|
2031 |
October 13 |
Monday |
22 US states |
History of Columbus Day
The history of Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century, when US people started celebrating the voyage of Christopher Columbus in America. But why do we celebrate Columbus Day? The day is celebrated to honor the heritage and contributions of Christopher Columbus to American society.
The holiday was first celebrated in San Francisco in 1869, and the first state-wide celebration was held in Colorado in 1907. After thirty years, Columbus Day became a federal government holiday across many parts of the US.
However, the celebration of Columbus Day 2024 is known to be controversial in some countries because the settlement of Europeans in America led to the demise of a large proportion of the native people.
What to Expect on Columbus Day?
Columbus Day celebrations include lessons about Christopher Columbus and his voyage. In the US, the day has evolved into a celebration of Italian American heritage. Many communities also host street fairs and parades with colorful costumes, music, and Italian food.
The day also acknowledges the influence of Italian culture on the United States, which marks the Italian-American heritage. Most banks and US federal government offices remain closed on Columbus Day. However, you can expect schools and businesses to remain open on the day.
What Can You Do on Columbus Day?
Columbus Day is the perfect time to explore history, engage in festivities, and celebrate cultural heritage. Whether you're looking to celebrate with the kids or just want to have fun with friends, these fun activities are a great way to make the most of the long weekend:
Attend Parades
Many cities, including New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Denver, host Columbus Day parades. On this day, you can expect marching bands, cultural displays, and colorful floats in many parts of the US.
If you are planning to attend the parade, make sure to carry a portable power source like Jackery Solar Generator. It lets you charge your smartphone to stay connected with loved ones or use a speaker for an after-picnic.
Explore History
Columbus Day is the perfect opportunity to explore the historical context of the day. You can visit museums, historical sites, or exhibits focusing on Christopher Columbus's voyages and impact on world history.
Share Stories
If you don't want to step out of the home, you can gather friends and family to share stories about the cultural heritage in your home backyard. You can turn the night into a memorable party with a projector for a slideshow of historical images and share stories with kids.
Engage in Educational Activities
If you have kids at home, you can consider participating in educational programs or activities that teach about Columbus's exploration and journey. You can also consider setting up a small TV or projector in the backyard for an outdoor learning experience.
Host a Cultural Feast
If nothing feels tempting, you can celebrate with a festive meal featuring a traditional dish and Italian cuisine. You can prepare various dishes and invite friends for a meal together. If you are hosting a cultural feast outdoors, the Jackery Solar Generators can be a great power source. It can charge food warmers, electric outdoor grills, and mini freezers to prepare delicious foods. In addition, the eco-friendly charging solution can power speakers and lights to create the perfect ambiance.
Hold a Party
You can also throw a Columbus Day party with themed decorations, music, and a fun outdoor vibe. You can play games, discuss history, and set up a fun outdoor space to enjoy Columbus Day with your family and friends. If you are eco-conscious, you can consider charging the outdoor appliances with the help of the Jackery Solar Generators.
Hiking or Go Camping
If you love walking or spending time in nature, you can consider hiking with your friends. Spending time outdoors allows you to exercise and get fresh air, which the human body needs. On the other hand, there are plenty of camping sites to celebrate Columbus Day. Backyard camping is also a great way to get away from the fast-paced city life, disconnect from everything, and enjoy some relaxation.
Picnicking
One of the most popular things to do on Columbus Day is to plan a picnic in a nearby location. There will surely be a nice place just a short car ride away. You can select the destination depending on whether you are a mountain or beach person. It also does not have to be nature-centric, as you can enjoy a couple of days at an amusement park.
Whether you're planning a picnic in a beautiful yet remote location or want to host a party outdoors, you may consider investing in the Jackery Solar Generators to power the essential electronics. For example, they can charge speakers and lights during music parties or power smartphones and cameras when hiking or camping.
How to Prepare for Columbus Day
Columbus Day 2024 is just around the corner, and individuals and businesses are already thinking about how they are going to spend the day. Whether you want to plan the event at home or in the business space, here are a few ways to do so. In this section, we will also reveal some tips to make the best out of the well-known historical event:
Personal
Columbus Day falls on every second Monday of October each year. With an extra day of rest, families take this opportunity to spend quality time together. Here are a few ways to prepare for Columbus Day in 2024:
Prepare Delicious Snacks: On Columbus Day, let everyone help prepare delicious snacks. It doesn't have to be complicated, as you can always start with easier recipes and snacks. You can cut some vegetables to make boats in honor of the three ships that Christopher Columbus sailed to the New World. Alternatively, you can bake some cupcakes and let everyone decorate them.
Plan Some Arts and Crafts: Your Columbus Day enjoyment should definitely include arts and crafts. One arts and crafts activity is to make paper boats — again in honor of the three ships of Columbus. For this, you only need some paper and coloring tools. The paper boats can also be turned into paper hats that kids can wear while playing.
Plan Some Games: Christopher Columbus was an explorer, and a scavenger hunt is undoubtedly a great game to play on Columbus Day. You can hide some items in the backyard or around the house and then give a list of the things that all guests have to find. You can also prepare some statements about Columbus Day and play a true or false game.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch: While there is nothing wrong with staying at home this holiday, you can go for a pumpkin patch if spending time outside is on your list. With Halloween also being around the corner, you can use this time to pick out the pumpkins you would like to carve.
Plan a Visit to a Museum: Columbus Day has a lot of history associated with it. You can plan a visit to a museum to learn the history of Christopher Columbus. Many museums offer audio guides to make the entire experience more immersive. In addition to museums, you can also consider visiting other sites and seeing the scenery.
Business
Holidays like Columbus Day are a great time for businesses to get creative with their employee engagement efforts. From potluck lunches to decorating contests, there are many ways to make the most of federal holidays. Here are a few employee engagement ideas you can try on this Columbus Day:
Decorating Contest: One of the popular ideas to enjoy with the team members is to have a decorating contest. Employees can either compete in teams or individually to see who will come up with the most creative festive holiday display. In order to make things even more fun, the organization can offer prizes for the winning entries. It's a great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit and have a healthy competition mix.
Plan a Party: Holiday parties are one of the greatest opportunities to show employees how much the company appreciates them. If you are planning a business party on Columbus Day, it should be fun and festive. Make sure there is a lot of food and drinks to keep everyone happy. It would be a bonus point if there is some interactive element like a white elephant gift exchange or a holiday-themed scavenger hunt.
Seasonal Gift Exchange: A gift exchange is one of the fun ways to engage employees during the holiday. Employees can make a gift for their team members, which helps spread holiday cheer and get everyone involved in the festivities. In addition, it is always a fun idea to see what people come up with for their secret gifts.
Potluck Lunch: If you want something simple yet engaging, you can consider a potluck lunch to keep employees engaged during the day. All the employees can share their favorite recipes and dishes with everyone. If you want to make things more festive, consider setting up a holiday-themed photo booth for employees that everyone can enjoy before or after the meal. It's undoubtedly a great way to build team morale and give everyone a chance to enjoy each other's company.
Holiday Card-Making Activity: If you want to do something for your employees as well as clients, you can consider hosting a holiday card-making competition. Everyone can get together to design holiday cards for Columbus Day, which can then be sent to the clients and other business associates. It's a fun way to get everyone involved in the holiday spirit while also having a chance to promote your business.
If you are hosting an office party on Columbus Day, make sure to keep a reliable power source handy. While you can always rely on the electricity grid, there might be some instances when there is a power cut. In such a case, the Jackery Solar Generator might be a reliable alternative. They are compact, powerful, and lightweight charging solutions that power essential appliances such as lights, computers, speakers, projectors, etc.
Jackery Solar Generators Explained
If you are planning or holding parties and games on Columbus Day, you will need a reliable power source. Jackery is a well-known brand that manufactures solar generators, foldable solar panels, and portable power stations. The Jackery Solar Generators come in handy for charging essential party appliances such as lights, speakers, projectors, smartphones, and cooking equipment.
The Jackery Portable Power Stations are lightweight and feature highly efficient batteries. There are three ways to charge the power stations: a car charger, a wall outlet, or Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. You can place the solar panels under sunlight so the solar cells can absorb the sunlight and generate DC electricity. The pure sine wave inverter then converts DC to AC to charge the essential electronics.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is the next-gen power solution that is faster and stronger than other solutions. It offers remarkable output, which is almost 50% higher than the previous generations. You can charge most low and high-power essentials smoothly, including refrigerators, kettles, portable ACs, etc. It is also a great charging solution if you are planning to camp with family or friends without sacrificing the modern comforts of electronics.
Appliances Running Time:
- Lights (50W) = 18.1H
- Outdoor Grill (800W) = 1.1H
- Refrigerator (400W) = 2.2H
- Speaker (40W) = 22.7H
- Portable AC (900W) = 1.0H
Customer Review
"The Explorer 1000 v2 is an awesome unit. Mine will charge from 0 to full in just over an hour. Easy to move around and store makes this unit something you will use. I ran a small window AC on low for about 4 hours. Very impressive." — Houston Pittman.
Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus offers more power in a smaller size, making it one of the top choices among similar-level products. It has a foldable handle and ergonomic design, so you can conveniently carry the solar generator to outdoor locations and charge 99% of outdoor appliances. It can also be expanded to 5 power levels, which makes the solar generator versatile for household, outdoor, and emergency scenarios.
Appliances Running Time:
- Lights (50W) = 21.4H
- Outdoor Grill (800W) = 1.3H
- Refrigerator (400W) = 2.6H
- Speaker (40W) = 26.8H
- Portable AC (900W) = 1.1H
Customer Review
"We've had the unit for a while now and absolutely love how rugged it is. The solar panels work great, and the peace of mind of knowing we have a battery backup for all our devices and some appliances is awesome." — John Brogan.
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
If you are throwing a party at home or outdoors, you would need a large solar-powered generator like the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus. It can charge 99% of essential appliances, such as refrigerators, ACs, speakers, projectors, etc., for a fun party. It also has double wheels, a pull rod, and a foldable handle, which makes moving the generator from one location to another easier. It can support up to 5 add-ons at a time, which makes the solar-powered generator ideal for heavy-duty appliances and power emergencies.
Appliances Running Time:
- Lights (50W) = 34.7H
- Outdoor Grill (800W) = 2.1H
- Refrigerator (400W) = 4.3H
- Speaker (40W) = 43.4H
- Portable AC (900W) = 1.9H
Customer Review
"Easy to set up and use, thoughtful design to have a battery mounted on wheels. Since this is a modular system, we will be adding more components in the future." — Denise Shepherd.
Columbus Day 2024 FAQs
What size solar generator do I need to celebrate Columbus Day?
The size of the solar-powered generator needed for celebrating Columbus Day depends on the appliances you would like to charge simultaneously and for how long. For example, let's assume you are charging a speaker (40W), projector (100W), and lights (50W) at the same time with the help of the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus. The working hours can be calculated as follows:
Working Hours = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 1264Wh × 0.85 ÷ 190W = 5.6H
Note: There is always some power loss when charging the appliances, which is why the efficiency is assumed to be 85% instead of 100%.
What states no longer celebrate Columbus Day?
Many states do not celebrate Columbus Day, including Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
What is the next federal holiday in 2024?
After the celebration of Columbus Day on October 14, 2024, there are a total of three federal holidays. Here's a table with all the federal holidays in 2024 after Columbus Day:
|
Date |
Holiday |
|
Monday, November 11, 2024 |
Veterans Day |
|
Thursday, November 28, 2024 |
Thanksgiving Day |
|
Wednesday, December 25, 2024 |
Christmas Day |
Is Columbus Day a federal holiday?
Yes, Columbus Day is the US federal holiday that celebrates Christopher Columbus's voyage to the New World on October 12, 1492. It has been an annual holiday in the United States since 1937.
Are most businesses closed on Columbus Day?
Most businesses, retailers, and restaurants are open on Columbus Day. However, the bond markets that trade the US government debt and most government offices are closed.
Final Thoughts
Columbus Day 2024 is the US federal holiday celebrating the landing of the explorer Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. It is the perfect day to celebrate the cultural heritage of Italian Americans because many scholars believe that Columbus was born in Genao, Italy. You can attend parades, explore history, and learn about Italian-American heritage with family and friends.
If you plan to attend an outdoor movie night or host a Columbus Day party with friends, you may consider investing in a reliable power solution like Jackery Solar Generators. These lightweight and powerful solar-powered generators can charge essential appliances for never-ending fun during outdoor adventures or if there is a power outage in your area.
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