Christopher Columbus Day 2022: A Celebration with Complex History

October 12th marks a significant date in American history - Christopher Columbus Day. While it is celebrated as a national holiday in many countries across the Americas, its relevance and significance have been increasingly debated in recent years. In fact, some states and cities in the United States no longer observe this day as an official holiday.

Iowa and Nevada are two examples of states that don't officially celebrate Columbus Day, but their governors are authorized to proclaim it annually. Meanwhile, Oregon and Washington do not recognize Christopher Columbus Day at all, instead choosing to commemorate Indigenous Peoples' Day. Alaska, Maine, New Mexico, South Dakota, Hawaii, Vermont, and parts of California have also replaced Columbus Day with celebrations honoring Native American cultures.

The first city to abandon Christopher Columbus Day was Berkeley, California in 1992. Since then, many other cities across the United States have followed suit, opting for Indigenous Peoples' Day instead. This shift reflects growing concerns about the problematic legacy of Columbus and his impact on indigenous populations.

Despite this, Christopher Columbus Day remains an important celebration for many Italian Americans who see it as a way to honor their heritage. In fact, the first Christopher Columbus Day festival in the United States took place in 1792, when the Columbian Order of New York held an event to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Columbus' famous landing.

The history of Columbus Day in the United States dates back to 1868, when Nicola Larco established the annual Columbus Day Parade in San Francisco. The day was later declared a statutory holiday in 1907 through the efforts of Angelo Noce, a first-generation American from Denver. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially designated Columbus Day as a federal holiday.

Today, Christopher Columbus Day is celebrated on October 12th every year to commemorate the anniversary of Columbus' arrival in the Americas in 1492. While its significance has been increasingly questioned, it remains an important part of American cultural heritage for many people. Whether you choose to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day or simply acknowledge the complex history surrounding Christopher Columbus, it's essential to engage in respectful and open-minded discussions about our shared past.

Christopher columbus day 2022