Columbus Day 2016: What's open, what's closed on Oct. 10?

First landing of Columbus on the shores of the New World, at San Salvador, W.I., Oct. 12th 1492. By DiA3scoro TeA3filo Puebla TolA!n, 1862. (Library of Congress)

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Columbus Day - which falls on Oct. 10 this year - is a time to commemorate the day in 1492 that Italian explorer Christopher Columbus first sighted what we now know as America.

The day first became a legal holiday in the U.S. in 1892, when it was commemorated as "Discovery Day." It became a federal holiday in 1937 following a proclamation by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Until 1970, the day was celebrated on Oct 12, no matter which day of the week it occurred. After 1970, the holiday was fixed to the second Monday in October in keeping with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act that placed the observance of certain holidays on Mondays.

Columbus Day is celebrated in the U.S., as well as some parts of Canada, Puerto Rico, Italy and Spain. Latin American countries mark the day as "Day of the Race" in honor of the different heritages in the area.

Columbus Day is not recognized in Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon or South Dakota. Hawaii celebrates Discoverers' Day in recognition of its Polynesian heritage and South Dakota commemorates "Native American Day." Reflecting the controversy surrounding Columbus' treatment of Native Americans, other cities have replaced Columbus Day with different events, including Berkeley, California's Indigenous People's Day and places in Oklahoma that celebrate "Native American Day."

In places where it is celebrated, Columbus Day is marked with parades and fairs and events centered on Italian-American heritage.

What's opened, what's closed on Columbus Day?

  • Federal offices are closed
  • Most banks and credit unions are closed. Wells Fargo will remain open
  • U.S. Post Office will not deliver mail, post offices are closed. UPS and FedEx will be making deliveries that day though.
  • Alabama state offices and courts are closed; Columbus Day is one of 13 state holidays.
  • Many county, city offices remain open. Shelby County and Madison County courthouse and offices are closed; Jefferson County, Birmingham City, Mobile County, City of Mobile, Huntsville will be open Oct. 10.
  • Almost all schools are open on Columbus Day. Shelby County Schools will have a half day for teachers but be closed for students.
  • Redstone Arsenal and Marshall Space Flight Centers are closed. Gates will be accessible based on holiday/weekend schedule.
  • ABC Stores are open.
  • Stock markets are open.

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