Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492 — one of the most consequential voyages in world history. Columbus's expedition opened continuous contact between Europe and the Americas, setting in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the founding of the United States of America.

In recent decades, many states and communities have also designated the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day, honoring the Native American peoples whose rich cultures and histories shaped the American continent and whose contributions have been part of the American story from the beginning.

Columbus sailed from Spain on August 3, 1492, with three ships — the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa María — and reached the Bahamas on October 12. His voyage launched an era of sustained contact between Europe and the Americas that transformed the world.

Italian Americans have celebrated Columbus Day since the 19th century, honoring Columbus as a symbol of their heritage and the contributions of Italian Americans to the nation. Colorado became the first state to make it a legal holiday in 1907. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed it a national holiday in 1937, and Congress made it a federal holiday in 1971. The New York City Columbus Day Parade, first held in 1929, is one of the largest parades in the United States.

Indigenous Peoples' Day was first celebrated in Berkeley, California in 1992, on the 500th anniversary of Columbus's voyage, and has since been adopted by many states and municipalities as a companion observance honoring Native American heritage and contributions.

This holiday invites Americans to reflect on the rich and layered heritage that makes up the American story. The spirit of exploration — the willingness to venture into the unknown in pursuit of discovery — is a thread that runs through American history from Columbus to the astronauts who walked on the Moon.

The holiday also celebrates the Italian American community, whose members have contributed enormously to American science, art, government, business, and culture. And it honors the Native American peoples whose civilizations, traditions, and knowledge have enriched the American story for centuries.

Communities across the country observe the day with parades — most notably the New York City Columbus Day Parade, one of the largest in the world — Italian American heritage festivals, cultural celebrations, and educational programs. Many Indigenous communities hold powwows, cultural gatherings, and events honoring Native American traditions and contributions to American life.

Schools and libraries often present programs on the age of exploration, Italian American history, and Native American cultures — reflecting the diverse heritage this holiday represents.

As America marks 250 years, this holiday is a reminder that the American story is centuries deep — shaped by explorers, Native peoples, colonists, and immigrants from every corner of the world. The spirit of discovery that Columbus embodied, the Native cultures that shaped the American landscape, and the Italian American community's deep roots in American life are all part of the remarkable heritage Americans celebrate in 2026.