When Is Columbus Day 2023

When is Columbus Day 2023?

Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States that is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year. In 2023, Columbus Day will be observed on Monday, October 9th.The holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. However, the date of the holiday was changed to the second Monday in October in 1971 as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which aimed to create more three-day weekends for federal employees.

History of Columbus Day

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer sponsored by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, made four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean between 1492 and 1504. On his first voyage, he landed in the Bahamas, Cuba, and Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and Dominican Republic). He never actually set foot on what is now the continental United States.The first celebration of Columbus Day in the United States took place in 1792, when the Columbian Order (also known as Tammany Hall) in New York City organized a celebration to mark the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’s landing with patriotic festivities.In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day as a national holiday to be celebrated every October 12th. The date was changed to the second Monday in October in 1971 as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.

Controversy Surrounding Columbus Day

In recent years, there has been growing controversy surrounding Columbus Day, with many arguing that the holiday should be replaced or renamed to better reflect the historical realities of Columbus’s voyages and their impact on indigenous populations.Critics point out that Columbus did not “discover” the Americas, as the land was already inhabited by indigenous peoples, and that his arrival led to the colonization, enslavement, and decimation of native populations through disease and violence. They argue that celebrating Columbus perpetuates a false narrative and ignores the suffering of indigenous peoples.As a result, some states and cities have chosen to replace Columbus Day with alternative holidays, such as Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day. In 2019, the state of Maine officially renamed Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, joining a growing number of states and cities that have made the change.

Observance of Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means that most federal offices, schools, and non-essential government offices are closed for the day. Many businesses, such as banks and post offices, are also closed or operate on reduced hours.However, the observance of Columbus Day varies across the United States. Some states and cities do not recognize the holiday at all, while others have renamed it or observe it on a different date. For example, South Dakota celebrates Native American Day instead of Columbus Day, while Hawaii observes Discoverers’ Day on the same date.It’s important to note that even in states and cities where Columbus Day is observed, the level of observance can vary. Some schools and businesses may remain open, while others may close for the day or offer reduced services.

Conclusion

Columbus Day remains a controversial and complex holiday in the United States. While it continues to be observed as a federal holiday, the growing movement to replace or rename the holiday reflects the ongoing debate about how to acknowledge and commemorate the historical realities of Columbus’s voyages and their impact on indigenous populations.As with any holiday, it’s essential to approach the observance of Columbus Day with sensitivity and a willingness to engage in thoughtful discussion about the complex history and legacy of the event it commemorates.

FAQ

1. When is Columbus Day 2023?
   • Columbus Day 2023 will be observed on Monday, October 9th.
2. Why is Columbus Day celebrated?
   • Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
3. Is Columbus Day a federal holiday?
   • Yes, Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the United States.
4. Why is Columbus Day controversial?
   • Columbus Day is controversial because it perpetuates a false narrative that Columbus “discovered” the Americas, ignoring the fact that the land was already inhabited by indigenous peoples, and that his arrival led to the colonization, enslavement, and decimation of native populations.
5. Which states and cities have replaced Columbus Day?
   • Several states and cities have replaced Columbus Day with alternative holidays, such as Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day. For example, Maine officially renamed Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2019.
6. How is Columbus Day observed?
   • Columbus Day is observed with parades, festivals, and other events in some parts of the United States. However, the level of observance varies across the country, with some states and cities not recognizing the holiday at all.
7. When was the first Columbus Day celebration in the United States?
   • The first Columbus Day celebration in the United States took place in 1792, when the Columbian Order (also known as Tammany Hall) in New York City organized a celebration to mark the 300th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
8. Why was the date of Columbus Day changed?
   • The date of Columbus Day was changed from October 12th to the second Monday in October in 1971 as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which aimed to create more three-day weekends for federal employees.
9. Which countries celebrate Columbus Day?
   • Columbus Day is celebrated in various forms in several countries, including the United States, Italy, Spain, and some Latin American countries.
10. What is the alternative name for Columbus Day in some states and cities?
    • Some states and cities have renamed Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day or Native American Day to better reflect the historical realities of Columbus’s voyages and their impact on indigenous populations.

Table of Columbus Day Observance

Wikipedia Link

Columbus Day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day