Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.

Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.

Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!

"Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.
But "India" the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.

Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he'd been told.
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.

The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.


Despite the politics of the situation, Columbus Day is considered a holiday in many parts of the US. Who am I to argue with a day off?

So, what's your latest discovery?

OK, who gets Columbus day off? A show of hands please, you slackers.

I've heard he had red hair and was a terror of murder, rape and pillage.
It still amazes me we celebrate this awful person as a holiday in the Caribbean.
but a day off is a day off I suppose.

Elbert, I've read the same - and worse.
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/Taino/docs/columbus.html

Nevertheless, Bobber, me, me, me - I'm slacking!!

If Columbus isn't your taste you can always celebrate Leif Ericson Day tomorrow instead.

I'll wait until November 19th and celebrate Garifuna Day on AC!!

OK, Leah-Ann, enjoy your slackness.

I did discover something this weekend. My wife's memory is failing. Can you believe that she sent me shopping and forgot to staple the shopping list to my forehead?

This also reminded me of when we pulled into Virgin Gorda, and were told that the island reminded Columbus of a fat virgin, hence the name. For those of you who have spent any time at sea, ANYTHING reminds you of a virgin of any sort.

Don't know why in the world Columbus would ever want to leave Spain! LOL A statue of him and one of his ships in a beautiful park in Seville was stunning. Hey, isn't it now called Indigenous People's Day? Or is that some other federal holiday?

Discoverers' Day. The second Monday in October shall be known as Discoverers' Day, in recognition of the Polynesian discoverers of the Hawaiian Islands

LaurieMar - that is a great statue! I loved seeing the list of names of every sailor on the three ships - had no idea that had been preserved in history!

As for the name of the holiday, it's still specified under United States Federal law as Columbus Day - no idea what other countries call it.