The second Monday of October in the United States is recognized as a federal holiday, but it carries dual meanings: for some, it is Columbus Day, a celebration of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas; for others, it is Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to honor Native American cultures and the historical injustices they endured. This article explores the history of Columbus Day, the movement for Indigenous Peoples Day, and how these two holidays came to share the same date. We’ll also discuss the significance of this debate and provide interesting details that reflect the complex history behind the holiday.
Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. For centuries, Columbus was hailed as the explorer who "discovered" the New World, an event that would forever change the course of history by initiating European colonization in the Americas. Celebrations of Columbus' journey began as early as the late 18th century, when Americans saw his voyage as a symbol of exploration and the spread of Western civilization.
One of the first major celebrations occurred in 1792, when the 300th anniversary of Columbus' voyage was marked with ceremonies in New York City. Italian Americans, in particular, embraced Columbus as a symbol of pride and heritage, as he was Italian by birth. As a result, Columbus Day became closely associated with Italian American communities.
The movement to make Columbus Day a national holiday gained momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, played a key role in advocating for the holiday. The group saw Columbus as a symbol of Catholic and Italian American contributions to U.S. society.
In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed legislation making Columbus Day a federal holiday. Originally, the holiday was celebrated on October 12 each year, marking the exact anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the Americas. However, in 1971, the holiday was moved to the second Monday of October as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which aimed to provide more three-day weekends for American workers.
While Columbus Day was celebrated for many years as a tribute to exploration and discovery, it has also become a subject of growing controversy. Many historians and Native American activists argue that Columbus' arrival marked the beginning of centuries of colonization, displacement, and violence against Indigenous peoples in the Americas. For Native Americans, Columbus’ legacy is often associated with the loss of land, culture, and life.
By the late 20th century, Native American activists and their allies began to call for a reevaluation of Columbus Day and a shift toward honoring the resilience and cultures of Indigenous peoples. The idea of replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day first gained traction in 1977 at a United Nations-sponsored conference on discrimination against Indigenous populations. Activists at the conference called for a day to recognize the histories and contributions of Native peoples.
In 1992, the city of Berkeley, California, became the first U.S. city to officially replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. The change coincided with the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival in the Americas, a time of heightened awareness and protest against the historical narrative that had long ignored the perspectives of Native peoples. Berkeley's decision sparked a national conversation about how the U.S. should commemorate this part of its history.
Since then, many cities and states have followed Berkeley’s lead, officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day in place of or alongside Columbus Day. States like South Dakota, New Mexico, Maine, and Oregon now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, and numerous municipalities across the country have also adopted the holiday.
The dual recognition of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day reflects a broader debate in the U.S. about how history is remembered and who is celebrated. For supporters of Columbus Day, the holiday honors the spirit of exploration, the contributions of Italian Americans, and the cultural ties between Europe and the Americas. Many Italian American communities continue to hold parades and celebrations in Columbus' honor, viewing the holiday as a vital part of their heritage.
For advocates of Indigenous Peoples Day, the holiday represents a necessary shift in focus from European colonization to the survival and resilience of Native peoples. Indigenous Peoples Day is seen as a way to honor the contributions, cultures, and histories of Native Americans, while also acknowledging the injustices they have faced. The debate over these holidays touches on deeper issues related to historical memory, identity, and reconciliation.
The movement to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day continues to grow, with many Americans supporting the idea of replacing Columbus Day entirely. Polls have shown that younger generations, in particular, are more likely to support Indigenous Peoples Day over Columbus Day, reflecting changing attitudes toward how the country commemorates its past.
At the federal level, Indigenous Peoples Day has not yet replaced Columbus Day, but the conversation is ongoing. President Joe Biden made history in 2021 when he became the first U.S. president to issue a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day, while also acknowledging the continuing observance of Columbus Day. The dual proclamation highlighted the complexity of the debate and the ongoing efforts to honor both perspectives.
As a federal holiday, Columbus Day has an impact on business and legal operations, though the observance of Indigenous Peoples Day varies by state and locality:
Using resources like DeadlineCalculator.com can help individuals and businesses manage deadlines and transactions around holidays like Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.
The second Monday of October holds different meanings for different communities in the United States. For some, Columbus Day represents a celebration of exploration and Italian American heritage; for others, it is a time to reflect on the resilience and survival of Native peoples through Indigenous Peoples Day. As the debate continues, the holiday remains a powerful symbol of how history is remembered and interpreted in the U.S. As more states and cities adopt Indigenous Peoples Day, the movement for change grows, and the conversation about how to honor both perspectives deepens.
Note: This article provides historical insights into Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. For more information on how federal and state holidays impact deadlines, visit DeadlineCalculator.com.