Columbus Day is a holiday celebrated in many countries in the Americas to commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World on October 12, 1492. The holiday has its roots in the United States, where it was first observed in 1792, on the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage. However, it became an official federal holiday in 1937.
The celebration of Columbus Day initially aimed to honor Columbus as an explorer and to celebrate the Italian-American heritage, as Columbus was of Italian origin. Italian-American communities, seeking recognition and acceptance in American society, played a significant role in promoting the holiday.
Over time, the perception and significance of Columbus Day have evolved. While it was once widely celebrated and seen as a symbol of national pride, the holiday has become controversial. Critics argue that Columbus’ arrival initiated the colonization and mistreatment of indigenous peoples, leading to their displacement and suffering.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to reevaluate Columbus’ legacy and to shift the focus of the holiday towards acknowledging the history and contributions of indigenous peoples. Some states and cities in the United States have chosen to rename or replace Columbus Day with alternative observances, such as Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day.
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In this article
- Part 1: 30 Columbus Day quiz questions & answers
- Part 2: Download Columbus Day questions & answers for free
- Part 3: Free online quiz creator – OnlineExamMaker
Part 1: 30 Columbus Day quiz questions & answers
1. Who is Columbus Day named after?
a) Christopher Columbus
b) Christopher Newport
c) Christopher Plummer
d) Christopher Robin
Answer: a) Christopher Columbus
2. In which year did Christopher Columbus arrive in the New World?
a) 1492
b) 1510
c) 1620
d) 1776
Answer: a) 1492
3. Which country sponsored Christopher Columbus’ voyage?
a) Spain
b) Portugal
c) England
d) Italy
Answer: a) Spain
4. Which day is Columbus Day traditionally observed?
a) Second Monday of October
b) First Sunday of October
c) October 12th
d) Fourth Thursday of November
Answer: a) Second Monday of October
5. Columbus Day is celebrated in many countries in the:
a) North America
b) South America
c) Europe
d) Asia
Answer: a) North America
6. Which of the following continents did Columbus believe he had reached?
a) North America
b) South America
c) Asia
d) Africa
Answer: c) Asia
7. Columbus Day was first observed in which country?
a) United States
b) Spain
c) Italy
d) Portugal
Answer: a) United States
8. Columbus Day was first celebrated in the United States in which year?
a) 1792
b) 1832
c) 1902
d) 1937
Answer: a) 1792
9. Columbus Day became an official federal holiday in the United States in which year?
a) 1792
b) 1832
c) 1902
d) 1937
Answer: d) 1937
10. Which community played a significant role in promoting Columbus Day in the United States?
a) Irish-American
b) Italian-American
c) German-American
d) Polish-American
Answer: b) Italian-American
11. True or False: Columbus Day is celebrated on the same date in all countries.
Answer: False
12. Columbus Day was initially intended to honor Columbus as an:
a) Explorer
b) Artist
c) Scientist
d) Politician
Answer: a) Explorer
13. Which city holds one of the largest Columbus Day parades in the United States?
a) New York City
b) Los Angeles
c) Chicago
d) Miami
Answer: a) New York City
14. True or False: Columbus Day is a public holiday in all states of the United States.
Answer: False
15. Columbus Day is controversial due to its association with:
a) Slavery
b) Indigenous displacement
c) Religious conflicts
d) Environmental destruction
Answer: b) Indigenous displacement
Part 2: Download Columbus Day questions & answers for free
Download questions & answers for free
16. Which movement seeks to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
a) Civil Rights Movement
b) Women’s Suffrage Movement
c) Indigenous Rights Movement
d) Labor Movement
Answer: c) Indigenous Rights Movement
17. Which U.S. state was the first to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day?
a) California
b) New Mexico
c) Oregon
d) Minnesota
Answer: d) Minnesota
18. Columbus Day parades often feature:
a) Floats
b) Fireworks
c) Carnival rides
d) Ice sculptures
Answer: a) Floats
19. True or False: Columbus Day is widely celebrated in South America.
Answer: True
20. Which of the following is a common criticism of Columbus Day?
a) Celebrating Italian culture
b) Ignoring European history
c) Promoting exploration
d) Glorifying colonization
Answer: d) Glorifying colonization
21. Which country celebrates Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) on the same day as Columbus Day?
a) Mexico
b) Argentina
c) Brazil
d) Colombia
Answer: a) Mexico
22. True or False: Columbus Day is a non-working holiday in most European countries.
Answer: False
23. Columbus Day is a federal holiday in which of the following countries?
a) United States
b) Canada
c) Italy
d) Spain
Answer: a) United States
24. In recent years, some cities have renamed Columbus Day as:
a) Explorers Day
b) Italian Heritage Day
c) Indigenous Peoples’ Day
d) New World Day
Answer: c) Indigenous Peoples’ Day
25. Which of the following is not a common Columbus Day activity?
a) Community festivals
b) Museum exhibits
c) Historical reenactments
d) Spring cleaning
Answer: d) Spring cleaning
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26. True or False: Columbus Day is celebrated in honor of Christopher Columbus’ birth.
Answer: False
27. The controversy surrounding Columbus Day reflects debates about:
a) National holidays
b) Historical figures
c) Colonialism
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
28. Which U.S. state has never officially recognized Columbus Day?
a) Hawaii
b) Alaska
c) Vermont
d) Maine
Answer: c) Vermont
29. True or False: Columbus Day is celebrated in countries other than the Americas.
Answer: True
30. The movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day began in the:
a) 1960s
b) 1980s
c) 1990s
d) 2000s
Answer: b) 1980s
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