europeforvisitors - 6:51 am on Oct 8, 2005 (gmt 0)

I agree with Never_Again. Where I live in the U.S., public schools and universities are open, stores are open, most offices are open, and even some banks are open on Columbus Day. It just isn't that big a holiday. I probably wouldn't even notice it if it weren't for the fact that mail isn't delivered.