Some people are enjoying a day off on this Columbus Day holiday. However, several have asked me, "Why do we celebrate Columbus Day?" I didn't know what to answer other than to say, "To shop," since the only headline I've read about this day contains the phrase "Up to 80% off regular prices."

Not really thinking I'd find out anything, my dog Willamena and I took a walk this weekend to Columbus Circle in New York City. The statue you see her sitting in front of is the Maine Monument. It was named by the Commissioners of Central Park in 1862 to honor commerce and business professions for their important contribution to New York City.

Maybe it makes sense to honor Columbus Day with sales. If you look behind Willamena, you can see the pole in the middle of Columbus Circle. It was a day early, so I figured that was why no one was paying tribute. So we checked out another location.

The Christopher Columbus statue in Central Park. You can see other people near the statue, though I think they were just passing by. I'm sure even today will be nothing like the day in 1892 when this monument was dedicated to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas.

One area of Central Park that was crowded was Strawberry Fields. Today, as well as being Columbus Day, is also John Lennon's birthday. You can imagine the crowd.

But look back to the Columbus statue in Central Park that was dedicated in 1892. The Order of Sons of Italy in America says that was an important year for Columbus Day. President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus Day a legal holiday in 1892. Plus, the Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 in honor of the 400th anniversary of Columbus' first voyage.

The Order Sons of Italy in America in Washington, D.C. has compiled an article on why we should celebrate Columbus Day. Here are a few points:
• Columbus Day recognizes the achievements of a great Renaissance explorer who founded the first permanent European settlement in the New World. The arrival of Columbus in 1492 marks the beginning of recorded history in America.
• Columbus Day celebrates the beginning of cultural exchange between America and Europe. After Columbus, came millions of European immigrants who brought their art, music, science, medicine, philosophy and religious principles to America. These contributions have helped shape the United States and include Greek democracy, Roman law, Judeo-Christian ethics and the tenet that all men are created equal.