Columbus Day

Columbus Day is connected to the historical figure Christopher Columbus and the broader history of European contact with the Americas. Contemporary observance varies, and many places emphasize Indigenous Peoples' Day instead. The page therefore distinguishes the federal calendar date from the names and programs used by individual states, cities, schools, and communities.

The federal holiday developed through Italian American civic advocacy and later became a Monday holiday. In recent decades, many communities have reconsidered the holiday's meaning and adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day observances. That debate includes colonization, Indigenous history, immigration, civic identity, and decisions about how public institutions name the date.

Observance differs widely across the United States. Some places hold Columbus Day events, while others focus on Indigenous Peoples' Day, education, or local community programming. Government closures, school calendars, public ceremonies, and terminology should be checked locally rather than inferred from the federal date alone.