Columbus Day 2024: Why This Holiday Is More Complicated Than You Think

October 13th is a day that means very different things to different people—and that’s exactly why we need to talk about it.

Here’s the thing about Columbus Day: It’s probably the most debated holiday on the American calendar right now. Some people see it as a celebration of Italian-American heritage and exploration. Others see it as a painful reminder of colonization and the devastation of Indigenous peoples. And increasingly, many communities are replacing it entirely with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

So what’s the deal? Why does this holiday exist? Why is it controversial? And what does it actually mean in 2024?

Let’s unpack this—because understanding complicated history is how we move forward as a society.

The Origin Story (The One You Learned in Elementary School)

Most of us grew up with a pretty simple narrative: Christopher Columbus sailed across the Atlantic in 1492, “discovered” America, and proved the world wasn’t flat. We learned the little rhyme, colored in pictures of the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María, and moved on.

Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, largely due to advocacy from Italian-American communities who wanted recognition and representation during a time when they faced significant discrimination in the United States. For them, Columbus represented pride, courage, and the contributions of Italian immigrants to American society.

That part is real and matters.

But here’s what the elementary school version often left out: Columbus didn’t “discover” anything. There were already millions of people living here—Indigenous nations with rich cultures, complex societies, and thousands of years of history. And Columbus’s arrival marked the beginning of catastrophic consequences for those populations.

The Reality Check We All Need

Let’s talk facts, because this conversation requires honesty:

What Actually Happened

When Columbus landed in the Caribbean (not North America, by the way—he never set foot on the continental United States), he encountered the Taíno people. Historical records, including Columbus’s own journals, document violence, enslavement, and exploitation of Indigenous peoples under his governance.

The arrival of Europeans brought diseases that decimated Indigenous populations who had no immunity. It sparked centuries of colonization, forced displacement, cultural erasure, and broken treaties. Entire civilizations were destroyed.

This isn’t a fringe perspective or “woke” revisionism. This is documented history that scholars have known for decades—it’s just not what made it into our textbooks.

The Italian-American Experience

At the same time, we can’t ignore why Columbus Day became important to Italian-Americans. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Italian immigrants faced intense prejudice, discrimination, and even violence. They were considered “non-white” by many and excluded from mainstream American society.

Claiming Columbus as a symbol was a way to assert their legitimacy and contributions to American identity. That struggle was real. That pain was real. And for many Italian-Americans, Columbus Day represents resilience and heritage—not endorsement of atrocities.

Both of these truths exist simultaneously. And that’s where it gets complicated.

Why This Still Matters Today

You might be thinking, “This all happened over 500 years ago. Why are we still arguing about it?”

Because history isn’t just about the past—it shapes our present.

For Indigenous Communities

Indigenous peoples are still here. This isn’t ancient history for them—it’s their lived reality. Native Americans face some of the highest rates of poverty, health disparities, and violence of any group in America. Reservations often lack basic infrastructure. Missing and murdered Indigenous women rarely make headlines. Treaties continue to be violated.

When Indigenous people see Columbus celebrated, they see someone whose legacy directly contributed to their ancestors’ suffering being honored—while their own ongoing struggles are largely ignored.

That’s not abstract. That’s personal.

For Italian-Americans

Many Italian-Americans feel caught in the middle. They don’t want to celebrate atrocities, but they also don’t want to lose one of the few holidays that recognized their community’s place in American society.

The criticism of Columbus can feel like criticism of Italian heritage itself—even though that’s not the intent. It’s complicated when a symbol of your family’s pride becomes culturally contentious.

For All of Us

This debate is actually about something bigger: How do we reckon with complicated history? Can we honor heritage while acknowledging harm? Is it possible to hold multiple truths at once?

These questions matter because America’s history is full of contradictions. Founding fathers who wrote about freedom while owning slaves. Progress built on exploitation. Heroes who were also deeply flawed humans.

Learning to navigate that complexity—without erasing history or defending the indefensible—is crucial for moving forward as a diverse society.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Movement

Since 1992 (the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage), a growing number of cities and states have adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an alternative or replacement for Columbus Day.

The idea is simple: Instead of celebrating a colonial figure, use this day to honor the resilience, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples—past and present.

As of 2024, numerous states and over 100 cities observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day. President Biden became the first sitting president to formally recognize it in 2021.

What This Day Could Mean:

• Learning about the Indigenous nations that originally inhabited your area
• Supporting Native-owned businesses and artists
• Educating yourself about current issues facing Indigenous communities
• Recognizing that Indigenous peoples aren’t historical footnotes—they’re living, thriving communities

This isn’t about erasing Italian-American heritage. Many places that observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day also have separate Italian Heritage celebrations that don’t center on Columbus specifically.

Five Ways to Engage With This Day Meaningfully

Whether your community calls it Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or both, here’s how you can use October 13th productively:

1. Get Educated

Read books by Indigenous authors. Listen to Indigenous voices on social media. Learn about the specific tribes whose land you’re living on (use resources like native-land.ca).

Understanding nuanced history makes you a more informed citizen—and that’s never a bad thing.

2. Support Indigenous Communities

Buy from Native-owned businesses. Donate to organizations working on Indigenous issues. Amplify Native voices and causes.

Money and advocacy create real change.

3. Have the Uncomfortable Conversations

Talk with your family, friends, and community about what this day means. Listen to perspectives different from your own. Practice holding complexity without needing immediate resolution.

Growth happens in discomfort.

4. Celebrate Heritage Without Centering Columbus

If you’re Italian-American and want to honor your heritage, there are countless Italian figures worth celebrating: Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci, Maria Montessori, Enrico Fermi, and contemporary Italian-Americans making incredible contributions today.

Your heritage is rich—it’s not dependent on one controversial historical figure.

5. Advocate for Better Education

Push for schools to teach complete, accurate history—not sanitized versions. Support curriculum that includes Indigenous perspectives and contributions.

The next generation deserves to learn complex truth from the start.

The Bottom Line

Columbus Day isn’t simple, and anyone who tells you it is—from either side—isn’t being honest.

We can acknowledge that Columbus’s voyages were historically significant while also recognizing the devastating impact on Indigenous peoples. We can respect Italian-American heritage while understanding why Columbus is a painful symbol for Native communities. We can learn from the past without defending it.

This isn’t about canceling history or picking sides. It’s about growing up as a society—learning to hold nuance, honor multiple experiences, and make space for truth even when it’s uncomfortable.

October 13th can be a day of reflection, education, and bridge-building. It can be an opportunity to learn something new, challenge assumptions, and practice empathy.

But only if we’re willing to engage with the full story—not just the parts that make us comfortable.

What does October 13th mean to you? How do you think we should observe this day? Let’s have a respectful conversation in the comments.