What is Columbus Day?
Columbus Day commemorates the day Christopher Columbus first landed in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
It was first introduced in 1792 by Italian-Americans in New York City who wanted to mark the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival, but was not officially recognised until 1905.
Columbus Day is now a federal holiday in the USA, meaning that banks, schools and government offices will be closed in many states.
In a statement ahead of the celebration, President Donald Trump gave a glowing tribute to the Italian explorer.
He said: “The permanent arrival of Europeans to the Americas was a transformative event that undeniably and fundamentally changed the course of human history and set the stage for the development of our great Nation.
“Therefore, on Columbus Day, we honour the skilled navigator and man of faith, whose courageous feat brought together continents and has inspired countless others to pursue their dreams and convictions – even in the face of extreme doubt and tremendous adversity.”
The holiday is traditionally observed on the second Monday in October, however there are some states that choose not to celebrate it.
In recent years, many have questioned the legitimacy of the holiday because Columbus did not actually discover North America – it was already populated by Native Americans.
Columbus Day has caused controversy throughout American history, with a number of minority groups and indigenous peoples protesting the nefarious connotations surrounding the holiday.
What is Indigenous People’s Day?
The idea for Indigenous People’s Day was introduced in 1977 as a way to recognise the rich culture of the Native Americans, who were slaughtered en masse when Europeans settles in North America.
First recognised in 1992, the holiday has gradually spread to more towns and cities across the US each year.