Reimagining American History—Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day

As the second Monday of October approaches, Americans find themselves reflecting on a question that reaches beyond a simple day off: Who and what are we celebrating?

For decades, this date has been recognized as Columbus Day, commemorating Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. Yet, in recent years, a growing movement has urged a shift toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day — a day of recognition, respect, and remembrance for the cultures that existed long before Columbus set sail.

This national conversation is not just about renaming a holiday. It’s about rethinking how we celebrate American history, acknowledging its complexity, and finding a more inclusive path forward.

The History of Columbus Day in America

Columbus Day was first celebrated in the late 18th century, long before it became a federal holiday in 1937. For generations of Italian Americans, Columbus was a symbol of pride — an explorer of Italian heritage whose courage and vision represented opportunity and discovery.

When Italian immigrants faced deep discrimination in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Columbus Day became a unifying symbol. It wasn’t just about the explorer; it was about belonging. Cities like New York and Boston hosted parades, and schools taught children that Columbus “discovered” America — a phrase that simplified a much more complex story.

But as historians began to dig deeper, the narrative began to shift. What once stood as a celebration of exploration has increasingly become a reflection on colonization, cultural erasure, and Indigenous suffering.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: A Celebration of Resilience and Truth

The idea of Indigenous Peoples’ Day emerged in the 1970s as Native American activists and educators sought to counter what they saw as the glorification of conquest.

Rather than celebrating the arrival of Europeans, Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the first inhabitants of North America — the hundreds of tribes whose cultures, traditions, and innovations shaped the continent for thousands of years before Columbus’s voyage.

In 1992, as the world marked the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s landing, Berkeley, California became the first city to officially replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Since then, dozens of states and hundreds of cities — from Alaska to Maine — have followed suit.

Today, the shift reflects not erasure, but recognition: a step toward telling the full story of American history.

Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Two Perspectives

This debate continues to divide public opinion.

Supporters of Columbus Day see it as a valuable piece of heritage — a day to honor exploration, ambition, and Italian American pride. Many argue that Columbus, despite his flaws, represents human courage and curiosity that shaped the modern world.

On the other hand, supporters of Indigenous Peoples’ Day stress the importance of truth-telling and accountability. They point out that Columbus’s expeditions led to the forced labor, enslavement, and deaths of countless Indigenous people. To them, the holiday perpetuates a false narrative of discovery while ignoring the lives that were already thriving on this land.

Both sides ultimately ask the same question in different ways: How should we remember the past while building a fairer future?

Rethinking American Holidays: What We Choose to Celebrate

Holidays are more than dates on a calendar — they’re reflections of what a society values.

By shifting toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day, America is engaging in a larger cultural conversation: What does it mean to honor history honestly?

This evolution is similar to how other holidays have changed over time. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, for example, replaced older civic holidays in several states, and Juneteenth only recently became a federal holiday. These changes show that national identity isn’t static — it grows as our understanding deepens.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day represents not the destruction of tradition, but the transformation of awareness. It encourages Americans to recognize Indigenous resilience, creativity, and survival — and to include those stories in the nation’s collective memory.

What’s Open, What’s Closed, and What’s Changing

In recent years, more U.S. states and cities have adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of or alongside Columbus Day.

According to national data, over 20 states and more than 130 cities now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day officially. Government offices, post offices, and banks may still close under the federal “Columbus Day” designation, but local observances are shifting rapidly.

This blend of old and new reflects America’s ongoing cultural negotiation — a coexistence of heritage and healing.

Why This Debate Matters

The shift from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day may seem symbolic, but it carries profound meaning.

1. It challenges outdated narratives. For decades, U.S. textbooks taught that Columbus “discovered” a new world. Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day invites us to confront that myth and honor the civilizations that already existed.
2. It acknowledges pain and resilience. For Indigenous communities, this day serves as a remembrance of survival through centuries of oppression — and a celebration of their living cultures, languages, and traditions.
3. It inspires inclusion and awareness. Reimagining this holiday helps young generations learn that history is multifaceted. It’s not about erasing anyone’s story, but expanding the lens through which we view America’s past.

Balancing Heritage and Healing

Finding common ground between Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day is possible. Some states — like Alabama and Oklahoma — now recognize both holidays on the same day, offering an opportunity for reflection from multiple perspectives.

Italian American organizations have also begun promoting separate Italian Heritage Days in October, allowing space for cultural pride without overlooking Indigenous voices.

This balanced approach helps Americans celebrate diversity without division, honoring both exploration and endurance — two traits that have defined the nation’s journey.

A New Way Forward

Ultimately, rethinking how we celebrate American history isn’t about rewriting it — it’s about seeing it clearly.

Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not a rejection of patriotism, but a reaffirmation of it. It asks Americans to live up to their ideals of honesty, fairness, and inclusion.

As the national conversation continues, one truth stands out: the strength of a nation lies in its ability to evolve. By acknowledging all parts of our past — triumphs and tragedies alike — we make room for a more complete, more compassionate story of who we are.

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