Celebrating Columbus Day in 2023: History and Celebrations

Columbus Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on the second one Monday of October. It honors and commemorates Christopher Columbus’ first arrival inside the Americas on October 12, 1492. This year, Indigenous Peoples’ Day will be discovered on Monday, October 9, 2023.

This Day has been a federal vacation considering that 1937. It became first proclaimed a national holiday through President Franklin D. Roosevelt to honor Christopher Columbus’ “braveness and faith” in coming across the New World. This Day become also established to have fun Italian-American background and their contributions to American society.

While This Day’s purpose is to celebrate Columbus’ voyage and the discovery of the Americas, it has also become controversial in recent years due to reconsiderations of Columbus’ legacy. Some cities and states have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor Native Americans instead.

History of Columbus Day

The first Columbus Day celebration recorded within the United States become held in 1792. Organized by way of The Society of St. Tammany, additionally called the Tammany Society, it venerated the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ touchdown.

In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging humans to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage with patriotic festivities across the country. The proclamation declared a national vacation on October 21, 1892 to commemorate the event.

Colorado turned into the first state to formally adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a legal holiday in 1907. New York made it a legit holiday in 1909, with other states soon following.

In 1934, A proclamation declaring October 12th Indigenous Peoples’ Day was issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1971, the federal holiday become moved to the second one Monday in October as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This location of the holiday provides a three-day weekend for many American workers.

Columbus Day Traditions and Celebrations

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is well known across United States with parades, parties, and different festivities. Here are some of the most not unusual This Day traditions:

Parades

This Day parades are held in lots of cities, frequently proposing colorful floats, marching bands, and Italian-American corporations. Major parades take region in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and Denver amongst different cities with big Italian-American populations. New York City’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day parade is one of the globe’s biggest, with over 35,000 marchers and 1 million spectators annually.

Wreath Laying Ceremonies

Government officials and organizations hold wreath laying ceremonies at monuments and statues of Columbus. In New York City, the wreath is laid at Columbus Circle at some point of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day parade.

Italian-American Events

Italian-American organizations hold cultural events focused on Italian food, music, art and entertainment. Popular dishes like pasta, pizza and cannoli are served at this Day festivals and parties.

School Closures

Many schools close for this Day, particularly in areas with large Italian-American populations. The day off provides a three-day weekend for students and teachers.

Columbus Day Controversy

In recent decades, Indigenous Peoples’ Day has become controversial and contested in some areas of the United States. Critics argue that Columbus should not be celebrated due to the negative impacts Spanish colonization had on indigenous peoples.

Here are some key facts about the disputes over Indigenous Peoples’ Day:

• Columbus’ voyages led to the colonization of the Americas by Europeans and the deaths of millions of native inhabitants through disease, enslavement and warfare.
• Native American groups and others argue that Columbus Day should replace Indigenous Peoples’ Day to acknowledge the native peoples who suffered after Columbus’ arrival.
• Over 130 cities and several states have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day, including Alaska, Oregon, South Dakota and Vermont.
• Italian-Americans continue to support celebrating This Day as a celebration of Italian heritage, with parades and events held across the country.
• Some groups have called for abolishing this Day altogether in recognition of its negative history. Others advocate keeping the holiday but re-branding it to focus less on Columbus himself.

How Columbus Day 2023 Will Be Celebrated

For This Day 2023, most federal offices, post offices and banks will be closed in observation on Monday, October 9th. Stock markets and a few nation and neighborhood government places of work may even close.

Many parts of the country will maintain conventional Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations with parades, concert events, festivals and parties, specifically in towns with massive Italian-American populations like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. These events celebrate Italian heritage with food, music and entertainment.

However, more states, cities and schools plan to observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day. As of 2022, over 130 cities officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead, with more expected to make the change by 2023. Major cities that have replaced Columbus Day include Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Seattle and Minneapolis.

While Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, controversies over its celebration and meaning are likely to continue. Supporters will uphold it as a celebration of Italian pride and heritage. Others will reject honoring Columbus and instead use the day to commemorate indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Key Facts and Statistics

• Columbus Day has been a federal excursion because 1937.
• The federal holiday was originally on October 12 but was moved in 1971 to the second Monday in October.
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated in over 20 states instead of Columbus Day in the U.S.
• First celebrated in New York City in 1792, Columbus Day is celebrated across the country.
• Major Columbus Day parades are held in cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
• Italian-Americans make up over 16 million or 5% of the total U.S. population.
• As of 2022, 1492 Land Back Lane reclaimed indigenous land at the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario, Canada on Columbus Day.

Why Columbus Day Remains Controversial

Arguments Supporting Columbus Day

• Columbus’ voyages were monumental achievements at the time, launching the age of exploration and colonization of the Americas.
• His expeditions strengthened European knowledge about geography, navigation and maritime trade. This helped pave the way for further exploration.
• Columbus Day celebrates Italian-American heritage. It honors the contributions Italian immigrants and Italian-Americans made to American society.
• Columbus Day parades and events showcase Italian-American pride and culture, with food, music, entertainment and traditions.
• Some Italian-Americans feel Columbus Day is an important symbol of their identity and see attacks on Columbus as attacks on their community.

Arguments Against Columbus Day

• Columbus did not actually “discover” the Americas, as indigenous peoples had already been living there for centuries. His arrival led to colonization, violence, slavery and death for native peoples.
• Columbus was a cruel colonialist. He enslaved, murdered, and spread disease among the indigenous populations he encountered.
• Honoring Columbus ignores the atrocities committed under his command and whitewashes history to celebrate him as an intrepid explorer.
• Columbus Day marginalizes Native Americans. Celebrating Columbus’ “discovery” of America dismisses that this land was already inhabited.
• Columbus Day honors origins of a genocide. Up to 90% of indigenous populations in the Americas died after contact with Europeans due to war, murder and disease.

Recent Changes Regarding Columbus Day

• Many cities and states have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day, including Alaska, Oregon, South Dakota and over 130 cities.
• Some schools are closing for this Day rather than Columbus Day, providing opportunities to teach about Native American history and culture.
• New monuments to Native Americans and statues commemorating indigenous peoples have been erected to counter Columbus monuments.
• University departments, student groups and academic journals have issued statements rejecting Columbus mythology and recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day.
• Growing public sentiment opposes Columbus Day, with calls to re-think holidays honoring contentious historical figures like Columbus. Polls indicate increasing support across the U.S. for a change.

Columbus Day Alternatives and Celebrating Native Americans

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day highlights and honors Native American peoples, their history and cultural contributions. It coincides with the traditional Columbus Day date to directly counter the celebration of Columbus’ arrival.

Over 130 cities and a growing number of states officially celebrate Columbus Day instead of Indigenous Peoples’ Day now. Advocates push for full replacement of Indigenous Peoples’ Day across the country.

Native American Day

Some locations observe a Native American Day holiday to specifically celebrate indigenous peoples instead of Columbus. This honors Native Americans while avoiding the word “colonization” in Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

States such as California and Tennessee observe Native American Day. A federal Native American Day resolution has been proposed but not yet passed.

Other Columbus Day Alternatives

• Discovery Day focuses on overall exploration and discovery of the Americas without glorifying Columbus specifically.
• Diversity Day celebrates the many cultures in the Americas. It highlights shared values while acknowledging painful history.
• Heroes Day honors both non-Native and Native American heroes who have made significant contributions throughout U.S. history.

Ways to Celebrate Native Americans on Columbus Day

• Attend Indigenous Peoples’ Day events showcasing Native American food, music, artisans, culture and speakers.
• Visit museums with exhibits exploring indigenous history, culture and achievements. The National Museum of the American Indian is a key location.
• Support indigenous businesses, creators and non-profit organizations. Buy Native American products or donate to advocacy groups.
• Watch films and documentaries made by Native American producers and focusing on indigenous peoples’ stories.
• Read books, poems and writings by Native American and indigenous authors across North America.
• Teach children perspectives beyond Euro-centric portrayals of Columbus, explaining impacts on Native Americans.
• Use the hashtag #IndigenousPeoplesDay on social media to highlight indigenous voices, stories and perspectives.

Closed stores and sales during Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Columbus Day Shopping Sales

Columbus Day has become a popular shopping holiday, with retailers offering sales and deals, similarly to Memorial Day or Labor Day weekends.

Some key Indigenous Peoples’ Day shopping deals include:

• Home goods sales at stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe’s and Overstock. Shop furniture, appliances and home decor.
• Outdoor gear retailers REI and L.L. Bean run Indigenous Peoples’ Day sales on items like sporting goods, outdoor apparel and camping equipment.
• Jewelry sales at Kay Jewelers, Zales and select department stores. Look for discounts on rings, necklaces, bracelets and more.
• Fall clothing sales before winter at stores like Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap and Nordstrom Rack.
• Online sales from e-commerce retailers like eBay, Amazon and others.
• Discounts at craft and fabric stores such as Joann Fabrics, Michaels and AC Moore for DIY holiday projects.

What’s Open on Columbus Day 2023

Columbus Day is a federal holiday, so post offices, federal courts and many banks will be closed. However, most retailers and restaurants stay open during the three-day weekend. Open stores and businesses on Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023 include:

• Grocery stores like Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Kroger and local supermarkets
• Most pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid
• Big box stores such as Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy and Home Depot
• Shopping malls and department stores
• Movie theaters
• National restaurant and fast-food chains
• Public transportation and gas stations

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Closures to Know About

While Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not universally observed across all states, it’s helpful to know what closures to expect on the holiday:

• U.S. Postal Service – Closed
• Most banks – Closed
• Federal courts and offices – Closed
• Some state courts and DMV offices – Closed or limited hours
• Stock markets – Closed
• Most schools and universities – Closed
• Some local and state government offices – Closed

Always check your specific county, city and school district calendars to confirm closures in your area on Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2023.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Travel and Activities

Popular Indigenous Peoples’ Day Vacations and Getaways

The three-day weekend provides a great opportunity for a mini vacation or fall getaway. Some popular travel destinations for Indigenous Peoples’ Day include:

Beaches

Enjoy warmer weather and fewer crowds at beaches in Hawaii, Florida, California or the Caribbean.

National Parks

Hike and explore America’s beautiful parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. The fall is an ideal time with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.

Camping

Go camping, fishing, hunting or boating for an autumn outdoor adventure.

Apple and Pumpkin Picking

Head to the countryside for apple orchards, pumpkin patches and fall festivals.

Wine Tasting

Visit California or Oregon wineries or east coast regions like the Finger Lakes for wine tasting.

Cruises or Tours

Take a sightseeing road trip, bus tour or fun cruise for the long weekend.

Columbus Day Activities and Events

If not traveling out of town, there are many fun activities to enjoy over the three-day Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend:

• Attend a Indigenous Peoples’ Day parade. Major parades held in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco and more.
• Go pumpkin picking or visit a corn maze at local farms and orchards.
• Shop Indigenous Peoples’ Day sales and deals.
• Eat Italian food and cuisine in honor of the holiday’s Italian-American heritage.
• Visit a museum featuring Italian art and Renaissance collections.
• Watch Indigenous Peoples’ Day movie marathons or classic Italian films.
• Create crafts and DIY Indigenous Peoples’ Day decorations.
• Host a Indigenous Peoples’ Day party with Italian wine, appetizers and decor.

Summary

This Day has a complex history and meaning in the United States. While it began as a celebration of Italian-American heritage and continues to honor Italian immigrants’ contributions, the holiday has become controversial. Cities and states are increasingly rejecting Columbus Day and replacing it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day to recognize Native Americans instead.

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 9, 2023, many traditional parades and events will still take place in certain communities. But the observance of the federal holiday itself will vary across different states and cities. Some will uphold it as a celebration of Italian pride, while others are using it as a chance to focus on Native American history and replace Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations.

Regardless of one’s location or opinion on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, most can take advantage of the three-day weekend in some way. Whether enjoying sales events, a short vacation, or simply relaxing, the holiday weekend provides a little downtime in early October. Moving forward, the disputes over Indigenous Peoples’ Day are likely to continue as the narrative around Christopher Columbus evolves in the U.S.