October 12, 1492! What a date in the world's history--the linking of the new world with the old--the dreams of a dreamer come true--the opening of the gates to a newer and better home for man--the promise of--America! The story of Columbus is a story of romance, of patient perseverance, of high endeavor, of noble resolve--a story that grips and thrills. Every boy and every girl who feels the story wants to discover a new world; and out of that desire may well come the discovery of America--its aims, ideals, opportunities. The Columbus Day program is an opportunity to discover the new world into which we are emerging. Even childhood in the school may come to glimpse that which lies beyond and feel the exultation of the sailor who cried, "Land! Land!" The materials of this program are largely suggestive. It is hoped that they may be of service in program making from kindergarten to high school. The school program of most value is that which results from the creative genius of the children themselves. Let children live the life of Columbus in imagination and they will create their own program and express it in costume, tableaux, music, composition, acting, and dialog. The merit of the Columbus Day program will lie in its leading children, through their own expression, to a better understanding of their country, to a broader conception of patriotism. SUBJECTS FOR COMPOSITION OR ORAL REPORTS Marco Polo A flat world The new idea--sailing west to reach the east The dangers of the western sea The attempted mutiny (See Irving's "Life of Columbus") The signs of land Columbus in chains San Salvador October 12, 1492 The Columbian Exposition, 1892 The discovery of America, 1919 What Columbus would do today A Little Program for Columbus Day Recitation (By three boys bearing the American flag, the Spanish flag, and a drum) _1st_--We are jolly little sailors; Join us as we come; We'll bear the flag of proud old Spain, And we will beat a drum! _2d_--We are jolly little sailors, And we pause to say, We raise the bonny flag of Spain Upon Columbus Day. _3d_--We are jolly little sailors; Raise the red, the white, the blue; Though we honor brave Columbus, To our own flag we are true. _All_--(Beat drum and wave flag) Salute the banners, one and all, O raise them once again; Salute the red, the white, the blue, Salute the flag of Spain! For countries old and countries new, We will wave the red, the white, the blue! Recitation (By eight girls carrying banners that bear letters spelling "Columbus")