Day: October 10, 2023
The Columbus Day Controversy
For 16 states and American Samoa, Columbus Day is an official holiday thatās observed. In Maine, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington, D.C., there is a holiday, but itās known as Indigenous Peoplesā Day. In South Dakota, a holiday is observed, but itās known as Native Americansā Day. More than half of the states ā 26 to be exact ā donāt observe a holiday at all on the second Monday of October. Why is it so inconsistent and a source of controversy in the United States?
Christopher Columbus was an Italian who never set foot in the new world (he made it to the Bahamas), however has been incorrectly credited with discovery America. President Benjamin Harrison created Columbus Day as not only a way to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbusā journey in 1492, but also to highlight the sacrifice and positive contributions of Italian-Americans throughout the country. Columbus Day was first observed as a federal holiday in 1937 before being moved from Oct. 12 to the second Monday of October in 1971.
However, after further research of Columbusā life in recent decades and alleged cruel behavior toward native people, many states have backtracked on celebrating Columbus Day. California and Delaware were two states that dropped the holiday entirely in 2009, and even Columbus, Ohio, renamed the holiday Indigenous Peoplesā Day in 2020. States such as Nebraska and Rhode Island now celebrate the second Monday of October as both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoplesā Day. Texas in 2021 declared the second week of October as Indigenous Peoplesā Week.
The second Monday of October has arguably become the most divisive and controversial day of holiday observations ā or non-observations ā during the year. Biden declared proclamations for both Columbus DayĀ andĀ Indigenous Peopleās Day. So you will see a different set of celebrations and remembrance tomorrow.