Americans Support Celebration of Columbus Day by Nearly 2:1 Margin

 

Almost 6 in 10 Americans (57 percent) believe that celebrating Columbus Day is a “good idea,” while only 29 percent oppose the holiday, according to a nationwide poll released today.

The survey, conducted by the Marist Poll, also showed that an overwhelming majority of Americans (76 percent) believe that Columbus and other historical figures should be judged by the standards of conduct of their own lifetimes, as opposed to modern standards. Only 16 percent of those polled disagree.

The poll found a majority of Americans (56 percent) view Christopher Columbus either “favorably” or “very favorably.” Half as many (28 percent) take a negative view.

Columbus Day will be celebrated on Monday, Oct. 9, by countless Americans at Columbus Day parades and other commemorations.