Columbus Day and Indigenous
Peoples’ Day 2025:
In the US, the second Monday in October is a time for both
celebration and introspection each year. While some Americans celebrate
Indigenous Peoples’ Day in remembrance of the Native communities who inhabited
these lands long before European settlers arrived, others celebrate Columbus
Day in commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s expedition in 1492.
The date is Monday, October 13, 2025. Let’s examine its
history, customs, and related discussions to see why it matters.
1. Celebration of Columbus Day.
Because the original purpose
of Columbus Day was to commemorate Christopher Columbus’s October 12, 1492,
arrival in the Americas. It represented courage, exploration, and discovery for many. Because Columbus was Italian, even though he sailed under the Spanish
crown, Italian-Americans especially welcomed it as a way to honour their
heritage.
2. The History and Customs of Columbus Day
Columbus Day has its origins in the late 18th and early 19th
centuries.
- By the
late 1800s, Italian-American communities had started to honour Columbus as
a cultural hero, particularly in the face of discrimination. The first
celebration of Columbus’s 300th anniversary was held in New York in 1792. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a
federal holiday.
- 3. The Background and Debate of
Columbus Day
Columbus Day
Columbus Day was once widely observed,
but it has since become contentious. Why? Because European colonisation began
with Columbus’s arrival, millions of Indigenous people were uprooted and
suffered as a result.
According to accounts, Columbus and
his crew exploited Native populations, enslaved them, and used violence against
them. Critics contend that honouring him ignores this traumatic past.
As a result, many states, towns, and
educational institutions have changed their stance in favour of Indigenous
Peoples’ Day, allowing long-suppressed voices to be heard.
4. What Was the Real Work of
Christopher Columbus?
Born in Genoa, Italy, Christopher
Columbus was a navigator who persuaded King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of
Spain to back his idea of sailing west to Asia. In 1492, he sailed with three
ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.
• He arrived in the Bahamas rather
than Asia and then travelled throughout the Caribbean. He had actually paved the
way for European exploration and colonisation of the Americas, even though he
believed he had arrived in India.
His voyage altered the course of
history, but it also signalled the start of centuries of loss and conquest for
Indigenous peoples.
5. US Observations
Although Columbus Day is still
observed as a federal holiday in the United States, there are significant
differences in how it is observed:
• Columbus Day parades are still held
in some states, such as New York and New Jersey, particularly in
Italian-American communities.
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day has taken
the place of Columbus Day in several states, including Maine, Minnesota,
Vermont, and California.
•Teaching both sides of
history—the Columbian explorations and Indigenous peoples’ experiences—is becoming
more and more important in schools, universities, and communities.
6. Observations from Latin America
October 12 is observed in various ways
throughout Latin America:
• The celebration of Día de la Raza
(Day of the Race) in Mexico highlights the merging of European and Indigenous
cultures.
• To commemorate Native communities’
fight against colonisation, Venezuela observes Día de la Resistencia Indígena,
or the Day of Indigenous Resistance.
•The day has also been reframed in
Chile and Argentina to honour Indigenous resilience and cultural diversity.
7. Observations from Europe
Columbus is still honoured as a
historical figure in Europe: • Spain celebrates Fiesta Nacional de España, a
national holiday honouring Spanish culture, heritage, and influence around the
world, on October 12.
• As part of its contributions to
world history, Italy frequently honours Columbus, and Italian communities
overseas, particularly in the United States, still celebrate Columbus Day with
parades.
8. Three Reasons Why Some People
Continue to Celebrate Columbus Day
Despite the controversy surrounding
the holiday, many people still observe it for some reasons:
1. Exploration and Discovery:
Columbus’s expeditions represent human curiosity and the desire to discover
uncharted territory.
2. Italian-American Pride: For Italian
immigrants who have experienced prejudice in the past,
3. Historical Turning Point: His
journey signalled the start of international ties that influenced the
contemporary world.
9. The Current Name for Columbus Day
Where you are determines the holiday’s
name:
• It is now recognised as Indigenous
Peoples’ Day in numerous U.S. states. Some locations recognise both Columbus and
Indigenous communities by using both names.
• October 12 is known by several names
around the world, including Día de la Resistencia Indígena, Día de la Raza, and
Día de la Hispanidad.
10. American Indigenous Peoples’
Day and Columbus Day in 2025
The holiday will fall on Monday, October 13, 2025. With parades and community
events honouring Italian heritage, some Americans will have the day off from
work.
• For others, it will be a sombre day of introspection, celebrating Native
Americans, their past, and their current hardships.
America’s diversity and continuous discussion of history, identity, and justice
are reflected in the dual observance.
Concluding remarks
Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day are about how we choose to commemorate
the past in the present. Unquestionably, Columbus’s journey changed the course
of history, but Indigenous Peoples’ Day makes sure that we also remember those
who lived here long before 1492.
In 2025, the day presents a chance for education, respect, and solidarity,
regardless of whether you commemorate exploration or consider Indigenous resilience.
