Columbus Day 2014, Fun Facts & Trivia To Celebrate Christopher Columbus' Arrival & 'Discovery' Of America On Monday, October 13

Happy Columbus Day! Christopher Columbus arrived to the Americas back in 1492, and the nation celebrates this year on Monday, October 13th. Ready to wow friends with some awesome trivia regarding the "Discovery of the New World?" Check out these Top Ten fun facts, and enjoy the holiday!

- Columbus' three ships (the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria) were given as a gift by the city of Palos.

- The largest Columbus Day parade is held in New York City, although Columbus initially landed in the Bahamas.

- Columbus died in 1506 at the age of 55. His final burial ground remains unknown, because even after death Columbus' body traveled to several different places throughout the world.

- President Lyndon B. Johnson made Columbus Day a federal public holiday (celebrated on the second Monday in October) back in 1968.

- Columbus and his crew set sail on August 3rd and didn't see dry land again until three weeks later - the longest sea journey of this type to do so.

- Sailor Rodrigo de Triana was the first to spot land. Although promised a gold reward, Columbus never awarded it, insisting that he'd seen a "hazy light" the night before, but just didn't say anything.

- Columbus introduced several new foods and animals to the Americas, including wheat, barley, rye, sugar, bananas, and citrus fruits plus horses, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. 

- Some of the craziest retail deals start today - most stores are ready to clear their shelves for the upcoming holiday season.

- Initially, Columbus was searching for a new, easier route for ships to transport spices from Asia to Europe. 

- No portraits currently exist of Columbus, so his physical looks still remain unknown.