The Dual Legacy of an October Holiday

Every October, the United States observes Columbus Day, a federal holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus's 1492 landing in the Americas. For many Italian Americans, this day became a celebration of immigrant heritage and cultural pride.

Over time, however, the holiday has come to carry two very different meanings. In mainstream U.S. culture it often symbolizes exploration and opportunity, but for many Native Americans it marks the onset of colonization and suffering.

The Historical Reality

Historical records indicate that Columbus's legacy is far more complex than earlier celebrations suggested:

• Enslavement of native inhabitants began on his first voyages
• Taino people were sent to forced labor with many dying en route
• Violent encounters characterized early European interactions
• Cultural destruction followed in the wake of exploration

These facts have cast his legacy in a cloud of controversy, prompting states and cities to reconsider how (or whether) to honor the October holiday.

Before Columbus: Thriving Indigenous Societies

"What Europe celebrated as the 'Age of Discovery' became for native peoples an era of violence, displacement and cultural loss."

European colonizers encountered well-established societies throughout the Americas:

Columbus's voyages directly initiated Spain's sweeping colonization of the hemisphere. In the decades that followed, Spanish conquistadors marched into the lands of the Maya, Aztecs and Inca, overthrowing great native empires and forcing Indigenous people into brutal labor systems.

The Demographic Catastrophe

The consequences were devastating:

• 90–95% population decline in Latin America's Indigenous population
• Death from disease, warfare, and exploitation within a century
• Cultural traditions disrupted or destroyed
• Lands systematically taken from native peoples

The Rise of Indigenous Peoples' Day

Many Native Americans now see October's holiday as an opportunity to honor Indigenous history rather than erase it. The European contact brought:

• ✅ Devastating loss of life
• ✅ Disruption of tradition
• ✅ Enormous loss of lands
• ✅ Lasting intergenerational trauma

In response, dozens of U.S. cities and states have adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day on the second Monday of October, focusing on Native resilience and contributions.

States Leading the Change

Several states have taken significant steps:

• Alaska, Hawaii, Maine no longer celebrate Columbus Day
• California and New Mexico have adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day
• Dozens of cities from Berkeley to Boston have made the switch
• Growing consensus for teaching the full, complex history

This alternative observance officially recognizes the resilience and diversity of Indigenous Peoples in the United States.

Moving Forward: Reflection and Reconciliation

Whether called Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day, the October holiday ultimately invites meaningful reflection. Including Indigenous perspectives provides a more complete narrative of the Columbian voyages.

A Balanced Approach

In practice this means acknowledging:

• The navigational achievements of early sailors
• The suffering inflicted on native communities
• The rich cultures that existed before European contact
• The ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples

By learning the full history—one that includes Native voices alongside European ones—Americans can mark the day with honesty and empathy.

Rather than erasing the past, fully acknowledging it can help build a more honest and inclusive future.

The conversation around Columbus Day represents a broader national reckoning with history—one that acknowledges complexity, honors multiple perspectives, and seeks understanding across cultural divides.