Columbus Day: A National Constitution's Dark Legacy

Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, is a federal holiday in the United States. It commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas and has been celebrated by Italian immigrants since 1792. However, the holiday has faced increasing criticism and controversy due to Columbus's role in the colonization and exploitation of Indigenous peoples. There have been growing calls to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day to recognize and celebrate the survival, resilience, and power of Native communities. While some states have already made this change, others continue to observe Columbus Day, highlighting the inconsistent nature of its celebration across the country.

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Columbus didn't discover anything, so there's nothing to celebrate

Christopher Columbus is often celebrated as the discoverer of America. However, this is false, as he never actually set foot in the US. In fact, he landed on an island in what is now called the Bahamas, thinking he had arrived in India. Furthermore, there is significant evidence of trans-oceanic contact before 1492, and Columbus was not even the first European to cross the Atlantic.

Columbus's expeditions marked the beginning of centuries of exploration and exploitation, with his arrival in the Americas leading to the colonisation of the continent. This resulted in the stealing of Native lands, the deaths and disenfranchisement of Indigenous peoples, and the spread of disease. Columbus himself committed atrocities and killings against Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean.

Columbus did not discover anything, and his expeditions only brought violence and suffering to the Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Therefore, there is nothing to celebrate about his legacy, and he should not be upheld as a figure worthy of admiration in modern society. Instead, the focus should be on acknowledging and celebrating the perseverance and power of Indigenous communities, as well as educating ourselves on the true history of colonisation and its impact on Native peoples.

Columbus committed atrocities against Indigenous peoples

Christopher Columbus's reputation has been marred by his treatment of Indigenous Peoples. Columbus committed atrocities and genocidal acts against the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean. Columbus and his crew kidnapped and killed Indigenous Peoples, burnt down their villages, and forced them to work in the fields and mines of Hispaniola. Columbus also tortured innocent Native Americans for their gold, cutting off the hands of those who refused to give it up, and sometimes burning down entire villages to get to it. Columbus was also a slave trader, forcing hundreds of Native Americans onto his ships to take back as slaves to Spain. Columbus also kidnapped young Indigenous girls and forced them into sexual slavery.

Columbus's arrival in the Americas brought death, destruction, and devastation to Native Americans. Columbus and his crew introduced diseases to the Indigenous Peoples that they had not previously been exposed to, killing hundreds. Columbus also kidnapped Indigenous people from other islands, such as the Lucayan, to work in the fields and mines of Hispaniola. Columbus and his men abducted 500 Taíno people, selected for being the strongest and healthiest, 200 of whom died en route to Spain.

Columbus's actions towards the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean were atrocious and inhumane. Columbus's legacy is one of brutality and genocidal acts, and he has become the face of the brutal treatment of Native Americans. Columbus's actions have had long-lasting effects on the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas, and his celebration as a figure of discovery and exploration is highly contentious.

The celebration of Columbus Day as a federal holiday in the United States has come under scrutiny due to Columbus's treatment of Indigenous Peoples. Many Native American advocates and others have argued that Columbus is not an appropriate figure to celebrate, given his actions. Some states and municipalities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, acknowledging the history of Indigenous Peoples and celebrating their survival, resilience, and culture.

Columbus's arrival marked the beginning of centuries of Indigenous exploitation

Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas in 1492, marking the beginning of centuries of Indigenous exploitation. Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, is a federal holiday commemorating this arrival. However, the celebration of Columbus Day has become increasingly controversial due to the historical treatment of Indigenous people by Columbus and the subsequent era of European colonisation.

Columbus's arrival in the Americas was followed by the enslavement, forced labour, and sale of Indigenous people. He enacted policies of forced labour, putting natives to work for profit and forcing them to mine for gold. Columbus also sent thousands of peaceful Taino "Indians" from Hispaniola to be sold in Spain, resulting in the decimation of the Taino population within 60 years of his arrival. In addition to enslavement and violent rule, Columbus's voyages brought new diseases to the Americas, which devastated native populations over time.

The "Age of Discovery" or "Age of Exploration" ushered in by Columbus's voyages led to the genocide of Indigenous people and the theft of their land. The arrival of Columbus in the Americas inaugurated the era of European settlement and economic exploitation, where Native people were slaughtered, expelled from their territories, and decimated by foreign diseases. The doctrine of discovery continues to affect the identity and cultural, political, and socioeconomic development of Indigenous people today.

In recognition of this history, there have been growing calls to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day. This shift would acknowledge the Indigenous roots of the United States and respect the sovereignty and land rights of modern-day Indian tribes. Several states and municipalities in the US have already replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day or adopted similar measures.

By replacing Columbus Day with a day that celebrates the history and contributions of Indigenous people, we can address the injustices of the past and present, and celebrate the perseverance and power of Native communities in the world today.

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The holiday erases the sovereignty and independence of modern-day Indian tribes

Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday in October, is a federal holiday commemorating the "arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas." The explorer's reputation has been marred by his killings and atrocities against Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. As a result, the holiday has faced increasing criticism and calls for its abolition, with some states and cities replacing it with Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Secondly, the holiday perpetuates the doctrine of discovery, which associates Indigenous peoples with a past of oppression and affects their present identity and cultural, political, and socioeconomic development. The term "Indian," first used by Columbus, continues to be used five centuries later, reflecting the enduring impact of his legacy on Indigenous identity.

Thirdly, Columbus Day fails to acknowledge the sovereignty and independence of modern-day Indian tribes as governments with their own land and political institutions. Instead, it celebrates the conquest and takeover of their territory by European colonizers. This erasure of Indigenous roots and rights is evident in the continued celebration of Columbus, who played a pivotal role in justifying and perpetuating these injustices.

Finally, the holiday contributes to the ongoing erasure of Indigenous histories, cultures, and societies. By focusing on Columbus' supposed discovery, the holiday diminishes the resilience and survival of Indigenous peoples in the face of colonization. It overlooks the rich histories and diverse societies of Indigenous communities that existed long before Columbus' arrival and continue to thrive today.

In conclusion, Columbus Day erases the sovereignty and independence of modern-day Indian tribes by commemorating a legacy of colonization, oppression, and cultural erasure. The growing movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day reflects a recognition of these concerns and a desire to honor the resilience and rights of Indigenous communities.

Columbus Day is inconsistently celebrated and has lost support from states

Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, is inconsistently celebrated across the United States. While it is a federal holiday, it is not a "national holiday" that must be observed by all. Many states and localities have chosen to replace it with Indigenous Peoples' Day or other commemorative days.

The holiday has faced growing criticism in recent years due to Christopher Columbus's treatment of Indigenous peoples during his expeditions. As a result, it has lost support from several states and municipalities. As of 2025, only 16 states and the territory of American Samoa exclusively observe Columbus Day as an official public holiday.

Some states, such as Tennessee, observe Columbus Day on a different date, often facilitating a long weekend. Other states, including California, Ohio, and Maine, have proposed legislation to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, but these measures have not yet been passed.

The shift away from Columbus Day is part of a broader re-evaluation of Columbus's legacy and the impact of European colonization on Indigenous peoples. Proponents of replacing Columbus Day argue that it is essential to acknowledge the Indigenous roots of the United States and respect the sovereignty and cultural significance of modern-day Indian tribes.

The inconsistent celebration of Columbus Day highlights the evolving nature of how the United States commemorates historical events and figures. As societal attitudes change, the country is grappling with how to address the complexities of its past and present a more inclusive narrative for its future.

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