WHEREAS, Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World in 1492, whose historical journey established a permanent link between the American and the European continents; and

WHEREAS, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to finance Columbus’ voyage in hopes that he would find a western passage to India; and

WHEREAS, Columbus set sail on August 3, 1492 with three ships, the Santa Maria, the Pinta and the Niña and a ninety person crew; and

WHEREAS, arriving on the shores of the New World on October 11, 1492, Columbus believed he had discovered islands off the coast of India; and

WHEREAS, Columbus left the New World on January 4, 1493, with 6 natives on board, leaving 39 crew members behind and arriving in Europe to great fanfare and acclaim; and

WHEREAS, Columbus died not knowing the extent of his discovery and due to confusion and an editorial error, Italian explorer, Americas Vespucci, was given credit as the discoverer of the new land thus America was named after him; and 

WHEREAS, we honor Christopher Columbus for his inspiration, determination and bravery in following his dreams in searching out new routes of ocean travel and for discovering this wonderful American continent;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM GIBBONS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim October 13, 2008, as

COLUMBUS DAY