What is Columbus Day?

Columbus Day is an American holiday celebrated every year on the second Monday of October. The day celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. The holiday is often used to commemorate Italian-American culture, heritage, and identity. Columbus Day has been officially recognized since 1937, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared October 12 “Columbus Day.” In 1971, the holiday was moved to the second Monday in October in order to provide a three-day weekend.

History of Columbus Day

The first celebration of Columbus Day occurred in New York City, in 1792. On April 30 that year, the city marked the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage with an extravagant parade. The event was the first public celebration of Columbus’s journey and it was attended by the Governor of New York, George Clinton. The day was then proclaimed a national holiday in 1892 to mark and celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage. Since then, Columbus Day has been celebrated in various forms in cities and towns nationwide.

Columbus Day Controversy

Today, the celebration of Columbus Day has become controversial. Native American groups view the holiday as a painful reminder of the hardships suffered by their ancestors following Columbus’ arrival. They note that Columbus and his crew brought with them diseases and subjugation of native populations. In recent years, a number of cities have opted to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The holiday is meant to recognize the contributions of Indigenous people and to celebrate the culture, heritage, and history of Native Americans.

Conclusion

Whether it is celebrated as Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this holiday is a reminder of the important part that Christopher Columbus played in shaping the history of the Americas. It is a day to both commemorate his accomplishments and reflect on the experiences of indigenous peoples in the Americas.