Many people believe Columbus day is a federal holiday, but this is not the case. The holiday is celebrated in some states, but not all. There are various reasons for this, which we will explore in this blog post.
History of Columbus Day
Columbus day celebrated the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas on October 12th, 1492. It was celebrated in 1792 and was initially created to celebrate Italian-American heritage. In 1937, President Roosevelt declared it a national holiday.
However, many states do not participate in the holiday. It is not a federal holiday either. There are several reasons for this. First and foremost, many Native Americans view Columbus day as a day of mourning, as his arrival signals the beginning of centuries of oppression and genocide against indigenous peoples.
Additionally, there is evidence that Columbus was not the first European to discover the Americas. This theory is supported by evidence that Viking explorers arrived in North America centuries before Columbus was even born. For these reasons, some people believe that we should not be celebrating Columbus day at all.
The Pros of Columbus Day
For many people, Columbus Day is an opportunity to celebrate Italian-American heritage. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator, and his discovery of the Americas opened up new trade routes between Europe and the New World. For Italian-Americans, Columbus Day is a chance to remember their ancestors’ achievements and contributions to the United States.
In addition, some people believe Columbus Day should be kept as a federal holiday because it commemorates an event that was pivotal in the history of our country.
Columbus’s voyage brought about the age of European exploration and colonization, which led to the development of the United States as we know it today. Without Columbus’s discovery of America, our country would look very different than it does now.
The Cons of Columbus Day
On the other hand, some people believe Columbus Day should no longer be recognized as a federal holiday.
One reason is that Christopher Columbus was responsible for atrocities committed against Native Americans after he arrived in the Americas. Columbus and his men brutalized indigenous people, forcing them into slavery and contributing to spreading disease throughout the continent. For many Native Americans, honoring Columbus with a national holiday is deeply offensive.
In addition, some argue that other figures are more deserving of recognition than Christopher Columbus. After all, people were already living in North and South America long before he arrived; Christopher Columbus was not “discovering” new land so much as he was invading the already-inhabited territory.
These people believe that we should focus on honoring indigenous peoples on this day, rather than honoring someone who caused them so much pain and suffering.
Is Columbus Day A Federal Holiday?
There are several reasons for this, including the fact that it is viewed as a day of mourning by many Native Americans and that there is evidence that others discovered the Americas before him. While it is still celebrated in some states, it is not an official federal holiday.
Whether or not you think Columbus day should be celebrated, it’s essential to understand why it isn’t a federal holiday.