Columbus Day and/or Indigenous People's Day
Was Christopher Columbus a heroic explorer or a villainous murderer?
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus's landing in the Americas in 1492.
Columbus Day 2022 occurs on Monday, October 10.
It was unofficially celebrated in a number of cities and states as early as the 18th century but did not become a federal holiday until 1937.
For many, the holiday is a way of honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage.
But throughout its history, Columbus Day and the man who inspired it have generated controversy.
Many alternatives to the holiday have been proposed since the 1970s, including Indigenous People’s Day, now celebrated in many U.S. states and cities.
Was Christopher Columbus a heroic explorer or a villainous murderer? It depends on who you ask. The tussle over how or whether the United States should commemorate the Italian navigator’s 1492 landing in the Americas has fueled controversy for generations.
