From Columbus Day to National Indigenous Peoples' Day: Embracing a Cultural Shift
Discover the growing movement to replace Columbus Day with National Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which celebrates Indigenous contributions and resilience. Learn about the history, significance, and the call to action for a more inclusive commemoration.
The shift to commemorate National Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day is gaining momentum. While some U.S. states and municipalities changed their celebrations in the 1990s, President Joe Biden was the first U.S. president to commemorate the holiday in 2021. A growing number of people are rejecting the celebration of Christopher Columbus, who played a key role in the genocide and colonialization of Indigenous American communities, including the Lucayan and Taíno. Instead, the renamed holiday recognizes and celebrates the contributions of Indigenous people to the Americas and the world.
