Celebrated on 10/12/2026
Columbus Day has been observed in the United States since 1792, when the Society of St. Tammany celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus's landing. It became a federal holiday in 1937, largely due to lobbying by the Knights of Columbus.
Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. The first recorded celebration in the United States took place in 1792, organized by the Society of St. Tammany (also known as the Columbian Order) in New York City. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation marking the 400th anniversary of Columbus's voyage, encouraging citizens to celebrate. The holiday gained momentum through the efforts of Italian-American communities and the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a federal holiday, to be observed on October 12. In 1971, it was moved to the second Monday in October under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
Over time, Columbus Day has evolved from a celebration of exploration to a subject of controversy due to the negative impacts of European colonization on Indigenous peoples. Many states and cities now observe Indigenous Peoples' Day on the same date, honoring Native American history and culture. Despite this, Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, with celebrations including parades, particularly in Italian-American communities, and educational events. Some schools and businesses remain open, and the holiday is often used for sales and promotions.
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