“In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue…”

On October 12, 1492, an Italian seaman named Christopher Columbus first stepped foot on the soil of the Americas, bringing with him European culture, goods, religion and practices. While other Europeans and Asians had arrived in the “New World” before him, Columbus made sure to publicize his discoveries throughout Europe. His adventures spurred a wave of exploration and expansion throughout the Americas.

Columbus Day is marked as a national holiday in the United States, with most banks, some financial markets, federal agencies such as the US Postal Service, most state government offices, and many school districts closed for the day. In most states in the U.S., Columbus Day is met with parades and salutes to Italian American Culture.

In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.   Thanksgiving Day in Canada is celebrated in much the same way as in the United States.  How was the turkey and Pumpkin Pie?

What holiday will Clay Aiken be thinking about today?  Is he joining his son in celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving or is he in New York, out and about and joining the throngs who celebrate Columbus Day by watching the famous holiday parade.  Whatever he is doing, we can all wish him the very best of two holidays in two countries.

In 2005, Clay was featured on a Canadian TV show titled E-Talk Daily.  The show was taped in Toronto when Clay was in town for the JukeBox Tour.  It was broadcast on October 10th.

Toronto – JukeBox Tour – O Canada!

Fabulous!