I like what Riverkilt said about the old and new Columbus day. I remember when Lincoln and Washington had separate days off from school.
Nevada doesn't celebrate Columbus day, and I am sure there are other states that doesn't either. But, like so many other things in this crazy country now, everything has to be politically correct and able to be made into a 3 day week-end.
In school, I learned about Columbus because it was a brave thing to jump in a boat and go into the unknown (kinda like astronauts)
I like Antonio's idea as another great excuse for a day for wearing a kilt!