Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October in the United States, has long been a day to commemorate Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The holiday, which was first recognized federally in 1937, has traditionally been a celebration of Columbus’s voyage under the Spanish crown and the subsequent opening of the Americas to European exploration. However, in recent decades, Columbus Day has become increasingly controversial, as many Americans re-examine the legacy of Columbus and the impact of European colonization on Indigenous peoples.

Today, Columbus Day serves as both a celebration for some and a moment of reflection and protest for others. It’s a day that sparks conversations about historical narratives, Indigenous rights, and the ways in which history is remembered and honored. As we approach this holiday each year, it’s important to understand its origins, its evolution, and the growing movement to replace or reframe it.

The Origins of Columbus Day

The idea of celebrating Columbus dates back to the late 19th century, a time when Italian immigrants in the United States faced discrimination and prejudice. Columbus, an Italian-born navigator sailing under the Spanish flag, became a symbol of pride and accomplishment for the Italian-American community. The first recorded celebration of Columbus’s arrival took place in New York City in 1792, marking the 300th anniversary of his journey. Over the years, more communities, especially those with large Italian-American populations, began to observe the occasion.

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a federal holiday, largely due to the lobbying efforts of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization. At the time, the holiday was seen as a way to honor both Columbus’s voyage and the contributions of Italian-Americans to U.S. society.

The Columbus Legacy: A Story of Exploration and Colonization

Columbus's 1492 voyage to the Americas has long been celebrated as a major turning point in world history. His arrival in the Caribbean is often seen as the beginning of the "Age of Exploration," during which European powers explored, colonized, and expanded into the Western Hemisphere.

However, as historical perspectives have shifted, Columbus’s legacy has come under increasing scrutiny. While Columbus is often remembered for his navigational skill and daring, many also recognize that his arrival marked the beginning of centuries of colonization, exploitation, and violence against Indigenous peoples. Columbus himself enslaved Indigenous people, and his voyages opened the door to European colonizers, who brought with them disease, warfare, and the displacement of countless Native American communities.

For many Indigenous peoples and their allies, Columbus Day represents a painful reminder of the colonization and destruction that followed in the wake of European exploration. As a result, calls to rethink or replace Columbus Day have grown louder, and alternative celebrations have emerged.

The Controversy: Reconsidering Columbus Day

In recent years, Columbus Day has become the focus of intense debate. For many, the holiday no longer serves as a simple celebration of exploration or Italian-American heritage but as a day that glorifies the darker aspects of European colonization.

Critics of Columbus Day argue that it perpetuates the myth of Columbus as a hero while erasing the violence, enslavement, and devastation brought upon Indigenous populations. They point out that Columbus’s actions and the European colonization that followed had devastating consequences for millions of Native Americans. Entire civilizations were decimated by disease, war, and enslavement, and Indigenous peoples lost their lands, cultures, and lives in the process.

In response to these concerns, many states, cities, and institutions have begun to reconsider Columbus Day. Some have chosen to replace it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a holiday that honors the contributions, cultures, and resilience of Native Americans. The shift from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day reflects a growing movement to acknowledge the full complexity of American history, including the often-overlooked stories of Indigenous communities.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: A Movement Toward Recognition and Healing

Indigenous Peoples' Day first gained momentum in the 1970s as part of a broader movement for Indigenous rights. The holiday seeks to counter the narrative that glorifies Columbus’s "discovery" of the Americas, emphasizing instead the rich and diverse histories of Indigenous peoples who lived on the continent long before European explorers arrived. Indigenous Peoples' Day also serves as a time to honor the resilience and cultural survival of Native American communities in the face of centuries of colonization, forced assimilation, and systemic injustice.

In 1990, South Dakota became the first state to officially replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, and since then, a growing number of states, cities, and schools have followed suit. As of 2023, states like New Mexico, Maine, Vermont, and Oregon, as well as cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Minneapolis, have adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day either in place of or alongside Columbus Day.

A Time for Reflection and Reimagining

As Columbus Day continues to evolve, it presents an opportunity for deeper reflection on the history of colonization, the contributions of Indigenous peoples, and the way we choose to remember and commemorate the past. Many argue that rather than simply eliminating Columbus Day, we should use the day as a time to educate ourselves about the full history of the Americas—both the achievements of European explorers and the often-silenced histories of Indigenous peoples.

For Italian-Americans, Columbus Day remains an important symbol of ethnic pride and cultural identity. However, many Italian-Americans have begun to rethink the connection between their heritage and Columbus, recognizing that celebrating Italian culture does not necessarily require honoring Columbus. Some have suggested alternative figures to celebrate, such as Amerigo Vespucci, after whom the Americas are named, or Mother Cabrini, the first American saint and an Italian immigrant who dedicated her life to helping others.

The Future of Columbus Day

The ongoing debate surrounding Columbus Day reflects a broader societal shift toward reckoning with the past and acknowledging the complexities of history. As more communities adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it is clear that the conversation around how we remember Columbus and the impact of European colonization is far from over.

Whether one chooses to celebrate Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, or both, the holiday serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding history from multiple perspectives. It’s a day that encourages us to think critically about the stories we tell, the figures we honor, and the way we come to terms with the legacy of exploration, conquest, and survival in the Americas. As the United States continues to grapple with its past, Columbus Day may continue to transform, reflecting the evolving narrative of what it means to celebrate heritage, history, and humanity.