COLUMBUS? WHAT ABOUT OTHER EXPLORERS?

Poor Christopher Columbus. If it weren't for the federal government's Monday holidays, the Italian explorer might be relegated to Great Unknown populated by former vice presidents whose names are only remembered as questions for "Jeopardy" answers and by saints who have been discarded from the calendar of the Roman Catholic Church.

Columbus, who first sailed to the Americas in 1492, has long been listed in history books as the "discoverer" of America. The notion for celebrating Oct. 12 as Columbus Day began in New York City on the 300th anniversary of his historic voyage. Well in to the latter half of the 1900s, schoolchildren were taught that Columbus deserved special consideration as the explorer who led the European settlement of North America, South America and everything in between.

In fact, Columbus Day celebrations became so popular that the day was declared a federal holiday in 1971 -- the second Monday in October, of course, because Oct. 12 wouldn't always guarantee a three-day holiday.

But history books pay little attention to Columbus these days, focusing instead on immigrants who migrated from Asia into what is now Alaska. Or St. Brendan, the Irish monk whose seven-year voyage in the 6th century in search of the Land of Paradise may have taken him to American shores. Or Leif Ericson, the Icelandic explorer who is credited with reaching North America -- but only after buying the ship of a trader who had already been there.

If the federal government is looking for any more Monday holidays (are there any Mondays left?), it might consider Irish monks or Icelandic nomads for inspiration. But for now, we are left with Columbus Day to stop the mail and close banks.