Christopher Columbus Day in Wisconsin

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer, navigator, colonizer and citizen of the Republic of Genoa. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean. Those voyages, and his efforts to establish permanent settlements on the island of Hispaniola, initiated the Spanish colonization of the New World.

In 1492, the first expedition led by Christopher Columbus sighted land somewhere in the Bahamas. Columbus’ voyages are recognized as the start of sustained contact between peoples in the eastern and western hemispheres. The process of colonization that he began brought new forms of wealth to Europe, expanded the market for African slaves, and led to loss of land and lifeways for the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Christopher Columbus Day (October 12) is enacted April 30, 1929, from the 1929 Laws of Wisconsin, Chapter 51. Listed as Christopher Columbus’ birthday in Wis. Stat. sec. 118.02 Special Observance Days.

Source: wisconsin.gov | wikipedia.org