Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-12
OBSERVED As HOLIDAY
Citizens Today Pay Honor to
Memory Of Columbus.
SUSPENSION OF BUSINESS
Banks, Exchanges and Public
Schools Celebrate Anniversary.
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA, 1892
commemorated in Many States by
Sanction of the Legislatures.
Action Elsewhere.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, October 12-This is Co
lumbus day. 1t has been made legal
holiday in this state and in New Jersey.
All the banks and exchanges and the
public schools are observing the holiday.
Columbus day is now observed In Con-
necticut. Montana, Maryland and Col
orado. and efforts are being made to rec
ognize the day i'm Massachusetts,, Illinois
and Louisiana
Observed in Pennsylvania.
PHILADELPHIA, October 12.-Colum-
bus day. marking the 417th anniversary
of the discovery of America. was observ-
ed in Pennsylvania today for the first
time. the legislature having recently en-
acted law making the day a public
holiday All city. county and state Of
fees are closed. but as the day was not
declared a legal holiday banks and other
financial institutions were open for BUSH
ness. The stock exchange was closed.
held by Italian societies.
Legal Holiday in Illinois.
CHICAGO. October 1.-THE Chicago
Board of Trade. in common with public
ofnces and schools. was closed today in
honor Of the 417th anniversary of the
discovery of America. The day was de-
clared legal holiday by the last state
ses1siature. to be known as Columbus day.
Honored by italian Colonies.
NORFOLK, Va, October 12.-The ami
versary of the discovery of America by
Columbus. October II, 1892, was today
fttingly celebrated by the Italian colo
MES of Norfolk and Portsmouth, who at
noon united in big street parade in this
city. The weather was propitious. and
tne parade was witnessed by many. The
American and Italian flags appeared
everywhere. The festivities close tonight
with a torchlight parade and grand ball
The local Italian organiza tons have peti-
toned the Virginia legislature to make
columbus day a legal holiday.
Parade in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, Ohio. October Al
though not a Iega, holiday in Ohio, CO.
lumbus day was observed here today by
the local Italians. During the afternoon
there was a parade in honor Of the 417th
anniversary of the discovery of America
Late today there was a formal celebra-
ton at Acme Hall, where speeches were
made. including an address by Mayor
Tom L. Johnson. A movement in on foot
among the Italians of this state to have
the legislature make columbus day
legal holiday. A meeting of Italians for
this purpose soon will be held at Akron,
where plans will be made to take the
matter up with the state legislature.
Exercises in Washington Schools.
In some Of the minor grades OF the
Washington public schools today Chris
TOPPER Columbus, his life and voyages
we're the subjects OF special exercises,
this being due to the fact that ALI years
ago today one Of the sailors accompany
ing Columbus announced to him that he
spied a little island in the West Indies.
This was the first glimpse by Europeans
Of the western hemisphere There was
no organized Columbus day. in the
schools. but the history lessons were full
Of instruction concerning the great dis
coverer. classes I'm English literature read
Of his life. and few pupils in the very
low classes made paper ships modelled
after the pictures of the three caravels
that Queen Isabella bought for Columbus,
after pawning her jewelry.
Although Columbus day IL a holiday in
ten states. through the efforts of the
knights of Columbus. 1t is not vet le-
gally recognized in the District of Co
umbia. 1t il the custom of the X. of c.
TO celebrate the day by church services.
and this year 1t has decided to hold a
Columbus service next Sunday at ST
eaul'S Catholic Church