People attend an Indigenous People Sunrise ceremony at Bde Maka Ska Lake in Minneapolis, Minn. on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.Kerem Yücel, Minnesota Public Radio via AP
Monday, October 14, 2024, will be a significant day in the ongoing debate over how America honors its past. For many, this day will be celebrated as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a tribute to the history and culture of Native Americans. But for others, it is still Columbus Day, a federal holiday commemorating the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas. This clash of historical perspectives highlights the tension between two very different views of American history.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day is relatively new, but it has gained traction in recent years. The push to replace Columbus Day with this new observance is driven by growing recognition of the atrocities committed by Columbus and the European settlers who followed him. For decades, Native American groups and advocates have sought to highlight the damage caused by colonization—the loss of land, culture, and lives—that Columbus’ arrival triggered. In 2021, President Joe Biden officially proclaimed Indigenous Peoples’ Day, marking a turning point in federal recognition.
Columbus Day, first celebrated in the United States in 1792, has long been viewed as a celebration of Italian-American heritage and the “discovery” of the New World. However, critics argue that the day glorifies a man whose actions led to the suffering of Indigenous people. Columbus is now known for acts of violence against the native populations he encountered, including enslavement and brutality. In response, Indigenous Peoples’ Day seeks to acknowledge the resilience of Native communities, whose ancestors lived on the continent long before Columbus set sail.
In recent years, the number of cities and states replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day has grown significantly. According to reports, over 216 cities and 29 states, including Washington, D.C., no longer officially celebrate Columbus Day. Some states, such as Alaska, Oregon, and Vermont, have fully adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a state holiday. Others, like California and Arizona, have issued proclamations recognizing the day but stop short of making it a paid state holiday.
For Native American communities, the recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a long-overdue step toward acknowledging the true history of America. Indigenous leaders argue that Columbus’ arrival marked the beginning of centuries of violence, dispossession, and cultural erasure. They hope that by replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the nation can begin to reckon with this dark chapter and honor the contributions and survival of Indigenous peoples.
Despite growing support for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, not everyone agrees with eliminating Columbus Day. Many Italian Americans, in particular, see the day as an important celebration of their heritage. Columbus, they argue, represents a figure of exploration and achievement, and the holiday honors their ancestors’ struggles and contributions to American society. Some critics of the movement to replace Columbus Day also point out that it risks erasing an important part of American immigrant history.
However, advocates for Indigenous Peoples’ Day argue that it is not about erasing history but rather about telling a fuller, more accurate version of it. For decades, American schoolchildren were taught that Columbus “discovered” America, a narrative that ignored the millions of Indigenous people who were already living on the continent. Indigenous Peoples’ Day challenges that narrative and emphasizes the long history of Native peoples in the Americas, as well as their continued presence and contributions today.
The shift away from Columbus Day also reflects a broader cultural reckoning with historical injustices. In recent years, movements to remove statues of Confederate generals and other controversial historical figures have gained momentum across the country. The debate over Columbus Day is part of this larger effort to reexamine how history is remembered and celebrated in public spaces.
For those celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the holiday is about more than just a symbolic gesture. It is a recognition of the ongoing struggles that Native communities face, including issues like land rights, environmental protection, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Indigenous activists are using the day to raise awareness of these issues and to call for concrete action from government leaders.
While Indigenous Peoples’ Day is still not a federal holiday in the same way Columbus Day is, the movement continues to grow. Each year, more cities, states, and institutions choose to honor Indigenous peoples in place of Columbus. The change is gradual, but it reflects a broader shift in how Americans view their past.
As Indigenous Peoples’ Day gains recognition, it serves as a reminder that history is not static. It is constantly being reevaluated and reinterpreted in light of new perspectives and understandings. For Indigenous peoples, the day is an opportunity to reclaim their history and assert their rightful place in the story of America.
Whether the entire country will eventually replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day remains to be seen. But the growing movement is clear: more Americans are choosing to honor Indigenous peoples and acknowledge the complicated legacy of Columbus’ arrival in the Americas. As this change continues, it marks a new chapter in how the nation grapples with its past and moves toward a more inclusive future.
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