Columbus Day has undergone significant changes in recent years, with many states and cities replacing or pairing it with Indigenous Peoples' Day to honor Native American cultures and histories. However, in 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation reinstating October 13 as exclusively Columbus Day at the federal level, reversing President Joe Biden's 2021 decision to recognize both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same date.
Changes and Current Status
- Many states and localities have already replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day or a similar holiday celebrating Indigenous peoples.
- President Joe Biden was the first to officially acknowledge Indigenous Peoples' Day alongside Columbus Day in 2021.
- President Trump reversed this dual recognition in 2025, calling for the exclusive celebration of Columbus Day on October 13, criticizing efforts to discredit Columbus as attacks on American heritage.
- Some states and cities continue to observe Indigenous Peoples' Day, Columbus Day, or both, reflecting ongoing debates and varied perspectives.
Thus, while Columbus Day has not been entirely eliminated, its recognition has been contested and modified in many parts of the country, with recent federal- level changes emphasizing a return to traditional Columbus Day observance.
