How the U.S. marks Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day
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The second Monday in October — Oct. 13 this year — is a federal holiday officially known as Columbus Day, but an increasing number of states and cities now mark it as Indigenous Peoples Day instead.
Why it matters: The shift reflects a growing national effort to recognize Native American history and resilience over honoring Christopher Columbus, whose legacy is tied to colonization and violence against Indigenous peoples.
The big picture: Native American advocates have been pushing states to swap Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples Day since the early 1990s.
- In 2021, President Biden became the first president to issue an official proclamation commemorating Indigenous Peoples Day.
Flashback: Last fall, lawmakers in Congress reintroduced legislation to formally replace Columbus Day at the federal level — though the bill has yet to advance.
Federal employees furloughed for Columbus Day
Driving the news: Due to the ongoing government shutdown, nearly all federal employees will be furloughed Monday — meaning they'll have the day off and won't be paid, White House officials tell Axios.
- Those in critical roles, such as air traffic controllers, will still report to work despite the shutdown and holiday.
Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day as state holiday
By the numbers: 30 states and three U.S. territories recognize Columbus Day in some form, per Pew Research Center.
- Only 20 states and two territories make it a paid holiday for state workers.
- New Mexico, Maine, Vermont and D.C. officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead.
- Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island mark both holidays.
Yes, but: More than half of states don't make either a paid holiday but often issue annual proclamations or mark Native heritage at other times of year, Pew found.
Banks, USPS closed Columbus Day; stock market open
State of play: Banks and the U.S. Postal Service are closed Monday for the holiday.
- But unlike Memorial Day, Labor Day and Juneteenth, U.S. stock markets are open.
- UPS is open and delivering while FedEx has modified service Monday with early on-call pickups and drop box pickups in some areas, according to their holiday schedules.
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