Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States, celebrated on the second Monday in October. It commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. Initially recognized as a way to honor Italian-American heritage, it has become a topic of controversy. Many people view Columbus's voyages as a starting point for European colonization, which led to significant suffering for Indigenous peoples. As a result, some states and cities now observe Indigenous Peoples' Day as an alternative, focusing on celebrating Native American history and culture instead of Columbus himself.