by I work for a NYS educational institution that, curiously, expects students to attend classes on Veterans’ Day and gives the same students Columbus Day off. Then I got this e-card which informs me just why these students need this explorer’s day off.
I get it now.
Gwen's World 
As one of those students I can’t say I’m upset for a break but I have to agree. Why Columbus Day? Its come to be popular knowledge that he wasn’t the “first” to arrive and our tactics of aquiring this land were less than noble. I guess it has just become “American” to celebrate greed and agression.
Ahh, such powers of observation in my young friend. Sadly, your take on what is celebrated in this country is quite apropos.