The President of the United States, Donald Trump, promised to revive Columbus Day "from its ashes", in order to "restore" the reputation of the controversial European explorer Christopher Columbus.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he committed to promoting Columbus Day on the second Monday of October, igniting a conflict with activists and some U.S. states who argue that the day should honor Native Americans instead of the legacy of the Italian explorer.
According to Trump, he will not continue the practice of his predecessor of acknowledging Indigenous Peoples' Day alongside Columbus Day in October, and he accused the Democrats of denigrating the explorer's legacy.
"Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all the Italians who care for him so much. They took down his statues and only put up “WOKE,” or worse yet, nothing at all! Well, you will be pleased to know that Christopher is coming back with a vengeance. I am going to reinstate Columbus Day with the same rules, dates, and locations it has had for all the previous decades," wrote the leader.
Joe Biden was the first president to commemorate Indigenous Peoples' Day, issuing a proclamation in 2021 that celebrated "the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples" and acknowledged "their inherent sovereignty."
The statement indicated that the United States "was conceived on a promise of equality and opportunity for all people," but that promise "we have never fully realized."
The movement to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day has been developing for decades. As a result of advocacy from Native American activists, many states and localities observe the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of -or in addition to- Columbus Day.
More than a dozen states recognize some version of the holiday instead of Columbus Day.
More than 100 cities have adopted it, heeding calls from indigenous groups and other activists to refrain from celebrating Christopher Columbus, asserting that the Italian brought genocide and colonization to communities that had been in America for thousands of years.
However, many across the country continue to celebrate Columbus Day or Italian Heritage Day as a source of pride.
Although lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate have introduced a bill that would establish Indigenous Peoples Day as a federal holiday on the second Monday of October, in replacement of Columbus Day, the proposal has not yet been formalized.
The Navajo Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the country, has been expressing its support for the renaming of this day for some time.
"Transforming Columbus Day into Indigenous Peoples' Day will encourage young Navajos to feel proud of the place and the people they come from and the beauty that resides within them," stated Jonathan Nez, president of the Navajo Nation, in 2021, prior to Biden's first proclamation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Columbus Day and Trump's Stance
What has Donald Trump promised regarding Día de la Raza?
Donald Trump has promised to revive Columbus Day "from its ashes" to restore the reputation of Christopher Columbus. He seeks to reinstate the celebration of Columbus Day on the second Monday of October, in opposition to the trend of recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day, which some states have adopted instead of Columbus Day.
Why do some states in the U.S. prefer to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day?
Many states and localities have chosen to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day, due to criticisms of Christopher Columbus's legacy, which include accusations of genocide and colonization. This celebration aims to honor the contributions and resilience of Native American communities.
What is the reaction of Native American activists to Trump's proposal?
Native American activists, including leaders like Jonathan Nez of the Navajo Nation, have expressed their support for transforming Columbus Day into Indigenous Peoples' Day. They believe this change will encourage Native youth to take pride in their heritage and roots.
How does Trump's stance on Columbus Day affect his relationship with the Democrats?
Trump's decision to reinstate Columbus Day and not acknowledge Indigenous Peoples' Day heightens the conflict with the Democrats, who have supported recognizing the contributions of Indigenous peoples. Trump has accused the Democrats of trying to tarnish the reputation of Christopher Columbus.
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