For many across the United States today, Columbus Day is being observed but not without controversy.  What was once taught in schools as a heroic story of “discovery” of a new land is now looked at as a tale best untold due to the brash treatment revealed by Columbus’ camp, five hundred seventeen years ago.

It seems that cities that once used to observe the second Monday of October as Columbus Day have either canceled the festivities or renamed the day to make it more appropriate.  Now the once holiday has been revised to: “Indigenous Peoples Day,” “Italian Heritage Day,” “Native American Day” or “Fall Weekend” (as Brown University students protest to change to).  Philadelphia along with Columbus, Ohio no longer recognize the day as in the past.

Denver which is home to the oldest Columbus Day parade, is one of the limited U.S. cities which still holds a yearly parade along with New York City.  Although the parade went on this past Saturday, in the days leading up to the celebration the opposition released a bogus announcement, saying Denver’s parade had been canceled.

Other than cultural celebration for Italian Americans, the day off for half of the U.S. is the only thing people are appreciating.  Time will tell if this ‘holiday’ will last or be put to the back burner due to the growing number of people that are resistant towards the actions of Mr. Christopher Columbus.

After reading fellow Eleventh Hour blogger Brian’s viral buzz from last Friday,  I am going to throw Columbus Day on the ground.  I’m an adult and I no longer think of Columbus’ story as the bubble gum version I was taught when I was young.

Matt Suttner is wondering who will be taking part in next year’s “Fall Weekend” celebration.