Why is Columbus Day celebrated in the United States? Origin and meaning of the holiday
Monday, Oct 14, is a federal holiday in the United States to celebrate Columbus Day. Learn about the origin and meaning of this celebration.
October 14 is a federal holiday in the United States established to celebrate Columbus Day.
This holiday takes place every second Monday in October and commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus at the American continent on October 12, 1492. Columbus, a renowned cartographer and navigator, was in command of the expedition that discovered the “New World”, hence the name of this celebration.
Why is Columbus Day celebrated in the United States? Origin and meaning of the holiday
The origin of Columbus Day in the United States dates back to 1792, when the Massachusetts Historical Society and the Tammany Society of New York decided to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s landing in America.
However, it was not until 1937 that the holiday acquired a national character. Then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed October 12 as Columbus Day. In 1971, the fixed date was changed to the second Monday in October to make way for a long weekend. Therefore, the celebration of Columbus Day varies from year to year. In 2024, the holiday falls on Oct. 14.
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The cancellation of Columbus Day and the creation of Indigenous Peoples' Day
While Columbus Day has recognized Columbus's achievements and celebrated Italian-American heritage over the years, the holiday has also been subject to criticism.
As awareness grows about the atrocities committed against indigenous peoples during colonization, many states and cities across the country have opted to stop commemorating Columbus Day. Instead, they have established an Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration, which honors Native communities affected by the arrival of Europeans.
In October 2021, President Joe Biden issued an official proclamation to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the federal level. This allows local authorities to decide whether to celebrate Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or both.