Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means federal government workers usually get a paid day off and postal services stay closed.
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Americans will mark October 13, differently depending on where they live and work. Some will celebrate Columbus Day, others will observe Indigenous Peoples Day, and for many, it will just be a regular Monday.
The second Monday of October remains one of the most debated holidays in the United States.
Federal Holiday, But Not Everyone Gets Day Off
Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means federal government workers usually get a paid day off and postal services stay closed. Many banks and bond markets will also shut down, but stock exchanges and most retail stores will stay open.
This year, with parts of the government still closed due to the ongoing shutdown, some offices may already be non-operational. In the private sector, whether employees get a day off depends entirely on their employer’s decision.
How States Observe This Day
Across the US, states handle the holiday differently. Thirty states and three territories still recognize Columbus Day in some form, but only 20 states and two territories offer it as a paid holiday for state employees.
Five states observe both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day. Virginia also marks Yorktown Victory Day on the same date. Alabama merges Columbus Day, American Indian Heritage Day, and Fraternal Day. The US Virgin Islands celebrate Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day.
Puerto Rico marks Dia de la Raza, celebrating Latin American culture.
Rising Preference for Indigenous Peoples Day
Over the past decade, several states have moved away from Columbus Day.
Delaware removed it in 2009, replacing it with a floating holiday. By 2019, Maine, Vermont, New Mexico, and Washington DC, had officially adopted Indigenous Peoples Day instead.
Today, 17 states and DC recognize Indigenous Peoples Day or a similar holiday, as per Economic Times report. Some celebrate both days together, while others recognize only Indigenous Peoples Day as an official paid or unpaid observance.
In a few states, governors sign yearly proclamations to acknowledge both holidays. Tennessee shifts Columbus Day to the Friday after Thanksgiving to give state workers a longer weekend.
How Columbus Day Became Federal Holiday
Some states celebrate Native American heritage later in the year. Maryland and Washington do so on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Oklahoma, home to 39 tribal nations, observes Oklahoma Native American Day on the same date as Columbus Day and holds other tribal celebrations during the year.
Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, pushed by the Knights of Columbus to honor Italian American heritage. It was moved to the second Monday in October in 1971 to create a three-day weekend.
For some Americans, the day is about cultural pride. For others, it’s about recognizing Indigenous history and resilience. And for many, it’s just another workday.
