Columbus Day is a U.S. national holiday that commemorates the date Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Celebrated on the second Monday of October, it’s a day that has evolved significantly in meaning and is now often associated with both celebration and controversy. Originally intended to honor Columbus’s voyage and Italian-American heritage, Columbus Day now sparks debate about its historical accuracy and impact on Indigenous populations, leading to the rise of alternative observances like Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Christopher Columbus, though Italian-born, sailed under the Spanish flag. In August 1492, with the backing of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, he embarked on a voyage westward, aiming to find a sea route to Asia. Equipped with three ships – the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria – Columbus sought to reach the riches of China, India, and the Spice Islands.
His voyage, however, took him to a different destination. On October 12, 1492, Columbus and his crew landed in the Bahamas. This marked a significant moment as it made him the first European explorer to reach the Americas since the Vikings centuries prior. Thinking he had reached Asia, Columbus continued exploring, sighting Cuba later in October, believing it to be mainland China, and Hispaniola in December, which he mistook for Japan. On Hispaniola, he established the first Spanish colony in the Americas, leaving 39 men behind. Returning to Spain in March 1493, Columbus was received as a hero, bringing back gold, spices, and captive Indigenous people, whom he called “Indians.” He would make several more voyages across the Atlantic before his death in 1506.
Did you know? Contrary to some misconceptions, most educated people in Columbus’ era knew the Earth was round. Their geographical misunderstanding was the unknown existence of the Pacific Ocean, leading Columbus and others to believe a westward voyage to Asia was shorter than it actually is.
The History of Columbus Day in the United States
The concept of a Columbus celebration in the United States began in 1792. New York’s Columbian Order, known as Tammany Hall, organized an event to mark the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s landing. Italian and Catholic communities, particularly, embraced Columbus, taking pride in his Italian origins and Catholic faith. They started holding annual religious ceremonies and parades in his honor across the country.
In 1892, as the 400th anniversary approached, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation urging Americans to celebrate Columbus’s voyage with patriotic festivities. He suggested a day of rest from work to “express honor to the discoverer and their appreciation of the great achievements of the four completed centuries of American life.”
Columbus Day officially became a national holiday in 1937, proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This decision was largely influenced by the Knights of Columbus, a significant Catholic fraternal organization that actively lobbied for national recognition. Columbus Day is observed annually on the second Monday of October as a federal holiday, meaning federal offices are closed. However, not all states recognize it as a paid day off for state employees or private sector workers.
Controversy and the Shift Towards Alternatives
While Columbus Day was once widely accepted, controversy surrounding the holiday has grown since the 19th century. Initially, anti-immigrant groups opposed it due to its Catholic associations. However, modern criticism is more profoundly rooted in the devastating impact Columbus’s arrival had on Indigenous populations.
Critics argue that celebrating Columbus ignores or even glorifies the brutal colonization of the Americas. Columbus’s arrival initiated a period marked by the transatlantic slave trade, the spread of deadly European diseases like smallpox and influenza that decimated Indigenous communities, and widespread violence and warfare between European colonists and Native Americans. The image of Columbus as a heroic discoverer has been challenged by historical accounts of his and his men’s actions, including the enslavement of Indigenous peoples upon arrival and the imposition of cruel punishments during his governorship of Hispaniola.
In response to these concerns, many have advocated for alternatives to Columbus Day. Inspired by observances like Dìa de la Raza (“Day of the Race”) in Latin America, which recognizes the diverse heritage of Hispanic cultures, and Venezuela’s Dìa de la Resistencia Indìgena (“Day of Indigenous Resistance”), a movement emerged in the U.S. to honor Native Americans instead.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Since 1991, Indigenous Peoples’ Day has gained traction across the United States. Nearly 200 cities, numerous universities, and a growing number of states now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day, often on the same day as Columbus Day. This holiday aims to celebrate the history, contributions, and resilience of Native Americans.
While Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not yet a federal holiday, it has received federal recognition since 2021 when the Biden administration officially recognized it. For many, this day provides an opportunity to reflect on Native American heritage, culture, and the complex history of the Americas, offering a counter-narrative to the traditional Columbus Day celebration.
When Is Columbus Day Observed?
Originally, Columbus Day was observed annually on October 12th, the actual date of Columbus’s landfall in 1492. However, in 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted the observance to the second Monday in October.
Today, Columbus Day’s celebrations vary across the U.S. In some regions, particularly those with large Italian-American communities, it remains a celebration of Italian-American heritage, featuring parades, street fairs, music, and Italian cuisine. In areas that have embraced Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the focus shifts to honoring Native American cultures with pow-wows, traditional dances, and educational events about Native American history and traditions.
In conclusion, “What Is Columbus Day” is no longer a simple question. It’s a holiday with a complex and evolving identity. While it began as a celebration of a historical voyage and Italian-American pride, it has become a focal point for discussions about colonization, Indigenous rights, and historical narratives. As the U.S. continues to grapple with its past, Columbus Day remains a subject of ongoing debate and transformation, reflected in the growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a vital alternative.
