Columbus Day is one of the most discussed and debated holidays in the United States, representing a complex intersection of history, culture, and identity. Originally established to commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas in 1492, this holiday has evolved over time, stirring both pride and controversy among different communities. The creation of Columbus Day reflects a broader narrative of American identity formation but also highlights the growing awareness and recognition of Indigenous history and the impact of European colonization.
In this article, we will explore the origins of Columbus Day, why it was created, how it has changed over the years, and why it remains a point of contention in American society today.
The Origins of Columbus Day
Columbus Day was officially created to commemorate the landing of Christopher Columbus on October 12, 1492. The holiday was first celebrated in the late 19th century as a way to honor Columbus’s voyage, which was historically viewed as the “discovery” of the Americas. However, it’s crucial to note that indigenous peoples had been living in the Americas for thousands of years before Columbus arrived, making the notion of “discovery” highly contested.
Early Celebrations of Columbus Day
The first recorded celebration of Columbus Day occurred in 1792, on the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s landing. This early celebration took place in New York City, and it was primarily a local event aimed at honoring Columbus as a significant figure in world history.
The idea of celebrating Columbus was largely promoted by Italian-American communities in the United States, particularly as a way to combat discrimination and assert their place in American society. In the 19th century, Italian immigrants faced significant prejudice, and many saw Columbus—a Genoese-born explorer—as a symbol of Italian-American pride and heritage. The celebration of Columbus Day became an important way for Italian-Americans to connect with their cultural roots and celebrate their contributions to the fabric of American life.
In 1866, another significant Columbus Day celebration occurred in New York, led by the Italian-American community. By the late 19th century, calls for a national holiday to honor Columbus gained traction, fueled by increasing Italian-American political influence and the desire to create a holiday that would represent American progress and expansion.
President Benjamin Harrison’s Proclamation
One of the pivotal moments in the creation of Columbus Day came in 1892, during the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. That year, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation urging Americans to celebrate Columbus’s achievement. In his proclamation, Harrison emphasized Columbus’s role in bringing European civilization to the Americas and called on citizens to reflect on the progress the country had made since its founding.
Harrison’s proclamation encouraged a national observance of Columbus Day, and many cities and states across the United States held celebrations to mark the occasion. Schools, churches, and civic organizations organized parades, reenactments, and ceremonies to honor Columbus’s voyage. The holiday was portrayed as a celebration of American expansion, the progress of European civilization, and the legacy of exploration.
However, it is important to note that Harrison’s vision of Columbus Day was rooted in the values and beliefs of the time, which often excluded the perspectives of Indigenous peoples and failed to account for the negative consequences of European colonization.
Columbus Day Becomes a National Holiday
While the 1892 proclamation helped establish the observance of Columbus Day on a national level, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that the holiday was officially recognized as a federal holiday.
The Role of Italian-American Advocacy
Italian-Americans played a significant role in pushing for the establishment of Columbus Day as a national holiday. By the early 20th century, the Italian-American community had grown in size and influence, and Columbus had become an important symbol of their contributions to American society.
In 1905, the state of Colorado became the first to officially recognize Columbus Day as a state holiday, thanks in large part to the efforts of Angelo Noce, an Italian-American newspaper editor and activist. Noce believed that Columbus represented the spirit of exploration and progress that was central to American identity, and he successfully lobbied the state government to establish the holiday.
Following Colorado’s lead, other states began to recognize Columbus Day as well, and the holiday gained momentum as a national celebration of exploration and achievement.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and National Recognition
The push for a national Columbus Day holiday reached its peak during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1934, at the urging of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, Roosevelt issued a proclamation making Columbus Day a federal holiday. The Knights of Columbus, which had a significant Italian-American membership, played a key role in advocating for the holiday and saw it as a way to promote Catholic and Italian-American pride.
Roosevelt’s decision to establish Columbus Day as a federal holiday reflected the growing influence of Italian-Americans in American society, as well as the broader celebration of American progress and the expansion of European civilization in the Americas.
Columbus Day was officially set for October 12 each year, commemorating the date of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
The Evolution of Columbus Day
While Columbus Day was originally created to celebrate Columbus’s voyage and its impact on the Americas, the holiday’s meaning has evolved over time. In recent decades, Columbus Day has become a subject of controversy, as more attention has been drawn to the negative consequences of European colonization for Indigenous peoples.
The Criticism of Columbus and the Impact of Colonization
The traditional narrative of Columbus as a heroic explorer has been challenged by historians and activists who argue that Columbus’s arrival in the Americas marked the beginning of a period of violence, exploitation, and displacement for Indigenous peoples. Columbus’s voyages led to the colonization of the Americas by European powers, which resulted in the enslavement, forced conversion, and genocide of Indigenous populations.
Critics of Columbus Day argue that the holiday glorifies a figure who played a central role in the destruction of Indigenous cultures and the exploitation of native peoples. For many, Columbus Day represents a celebration of colonization and imperialism, rather than a celebration of progress and exploration.
The growing recognition of these historical realities has led to a reexamination of Columbus’s legacy and the role of Columbus Day in American culture.
The Rise of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
In response to the criticism of Columbus Day, many cities and states have begun to replace or reframe the holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is intended to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples, while also acknowledging the harm caused by European colonization.
South Dakota was the first state to officially replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 1990, and many other states, including Alaska, Maine, and New Mexico, have followed suit. Additionally, cities such as Los Angeles, Seattle, and Denver have also adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an alternative to Columbus Day.
The shift toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day reflects a broader movement to recognize the experiences and rights of Indigenous peoples and to confront the legacy of colonization in American history.
Columbus Day in Contemporary America
Today, Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, but its meaning and observance vary widely across the United States. For some, Columbus Day continues to be a celebration of Italian-American heritage and the spirit of exploration. Parades, ceremonies, and cultural events are held in cities with large Italian-American populations, such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
For others, Columbus Day is a day of reflection on the impact of colonization and a time to honor the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations often include cultural performances, educational events, and protests calling for greater recognition of Indigenous rights.
The Ongoing Debate
The debate over Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day reflects broader conversations about history, identity, and justice in American society. Supporters of Columbus Day argue that the holiday is an important part of American history and a celebration of the values of exploration and progress. They see Columbus as a symbol of the European heritage that helped shape the United States and believe that the holiday should be preserved as a reflection of this legacy.
Opponents of Columbus Day, on the other hand, argue that the holiday overlooks the suffering and displacement of Indigenous peoples and glorifies a figure who played a central role in the colonization of the Americas. They believe that Indigenous Peoples’ Day offers a more accurate and inclusive way to commemorate American history and honor the diverse cultures that make up the country.
Federal Recognition and the Future of the Holiday
As of now, Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, meaning that it is recognized by the federal government and observed by federal institutions. However, the growing movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day suggests that the holiday’s future is far from certain.
In some states and cities, the shift toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day has gained significant momentum, while in others, Columbus Day remains a prominent celebration. The ongoing debate over the holiday reflects broader conversations about how history should be remembered and who gets to shape the narrative of American identity.
See also: Is Martin Luther King Jr. Day a Paid Holiday?
Conclusion
Columbus Day was officially created as a national holiday in 1934 to commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas and to celebrate the spirit of exploration and progress. While the holiday has its roots in Italian-American pride and the broader narrative of American expansion, it has also become a focal point for debates over the legacy of colonization and the treatment of Indigenous peoples.
As more cities and states adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an alternative to Columbus Day, the holiday’s meaning continues to evolve. For some, it remains a celebration of heritage and history, while for others, it serves as a reminder of the need to confront the darker aspects of American history and honor the resilience of Indigenous cultures.
The creation of Columbus Day reflects the complexities of American identity and the ongoing struggle to balance the celebration of progress with the recognition of historical injustices. Whether celebrated as Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this holiday remains a powerful symbol of the intersection of history, culture, and the fight for justice in the United States.