The second Monday of October has long been a date of national reflection in the United States, but in recent years, the meaning of that day has become a point of passionate debate and evolving tradition. This year, on October 13, 2025, Americans across the country will once again face the question: Should the day be celebrated as Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, or both?
Columbus Day, established decades ago as a federal holiday, was intended to commemorate Christopher Columbus’s 1492 arrival in what would become known as the Americas. For generations, it has been a symbol of exploration and the immigrant experience, particularly for Italian Americans who have often used the day to celebrate their heritage. Yet, as history’s lens has widened, a growing chorus has questioned the celebration of Columbus, citing the devastating impact of European colonization on Indigenous peoples.
According to reporting by AS USA, the controversy around Columbus’s legacy and the harms brought by his “discovery” have prompted many states and cities to reconsider—or even drop—the holiday in favor of honoring Native Americans. In 2021, President Joe Biden made a historic move by issuing the first-ever presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day, stating that the day should “honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive today.” Biden’s message was clear: the country should recognize both the history and the enduring presence of Indigenous communities.
Yet, the federal government’s stance remains complicated. As AS USA points out, President Biden also signed a separate proclamation for Columbus Day that same year, meaning that, at least at the federal level, both celebrations are recognized. This duality continues in 2025, with both holidays acknowledged, though not without dissent. Former President Donald Trump, for example, made clear in April that he would not follow Biden’s lead. Trump accused Democrats of “denigrating the explorer’s legacy” and issued a proclamation for Columbus Day only, according to AP News. In his first term, Trump did recognize National Native American Heritage Month in November, but he has resisted pairing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
So, what does this mean for Americans on October 13, 2025? First, it’s important to note the practical realities. Columbus Day remains one of eleven federal holidays, so all federal offices—including the post office—will be closed. Most banks, government offices, and schools will also shutter for the day, following the federal holiday schedule. However, the Stock Market and most supermarkets and retailers will remain open, as they typically do not offer the holiday to their employees.
The picture at the state level is more nuanced. Columbus Day and/or a holiday recognizing Native Americans is a paid holiday in 28 states and territories, including Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, the US Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont (where it’s a floating holiday for state employees), Virginia, and West Virginia. In these places, all public state offices will be closed, with the exception of Vermont. But not all of these states call it Columbus Day—some have replaced it entirely or paired it with Indigenous Peoples Day, reflecting a broader national shift.
Indigenous Peoples Day itself has been recognized in different forms for decades, but it is not a federal holiday. According to the Pew Research Center, 17 states—including Washington, South Dakota, and Maine—as well as Washington, D.C., have holidays honoring Native Americans, either alongside or instead of Columbus Day. Dozens of cities and school systems have also joined in, choosing to observe Indigenous Peoples Day and highlight the resilience, culture, and ongoing challenges faced by Native communities.
This year, Indigenous Peoples Day will be marked by a vibrant array of events nationwide. In partnership with the Indigenous-led news organization ICT, AP News has compiled a sweeping list of ceremonies, dances, rallies, and community gatherings scheduled across the country. For instance, in the Eastern Time Zone, Atlanta, Georgia will host a Bad River documentary screening and talkback; Baltimore, Maryland will see Johns Hopkins’s annual powwow; Newburyport, Massachusetts will hold an observance on Saturday; and Randall’s Island Park in New York City will feature a two-day celebration. Similar events are planned in North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., where the 33rd Annual Indigenous Peoples Day will take place at Meridian Hill Park.
The Central Time Zone is equally busy, with Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in Mahomet, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Bonner Springs, Kansas; Minot, North Dakota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Dallas, Texas; and La Crosse, Wisconsin. Some locations, like Mankato, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri, are spreading festivities over multiple days, including the weekend leading up to October 13.
Heading west, the Mountain Time Zone will see events in Phoenix, Arizona (“Everybody Dance” is the theme there), Denver, Colorado, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Rapid City, South Dakota, Millcreek, Utah, and Kinnear, Wyoming. Billings, Montana, will host a Round Dance and Vendors Show on the Saturday before the holiday. On the Pacific coast, cities such as Berkeley, California; Portland, Oregon; and Seattle, Washington are hosting powwows, markets, and paddles. Even Alaska joins in, with Anchorage’s 42nd Annual Elders and Youth Conference stretching from Sunday to Wednesday.
These events are more than just celebrations—they are acts of remembrance and resilience. Native American people across the country will honor their centuries-long history with ceremonies and gatherings, many open to the public and intended to foster greater understanding. As one event organizer told AP News, “This day is about recognizing the strength and survival of our people, and sharing our culture with the wider community.”
Despite the growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day, the debate over Columbus’s legacy remains heated. Supporters of Columbus Day argue that the holiday honors the spirit of discovery and the contributions of immigrants. Critics, however, contend that celebrating Columbus ignores the suffering and dispossession of Indigenous communities—a history that, for many, is not so distant.
For now, the United States continues to navigate this complex legacy. Both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day will be observed on October 13, 2025, reflecting a nation still grappling with how best to honor its past and its people. As communities gather, offices close, and events unfold from coast to coast, the conversation about what this day means—and whom it celebrates—remains as vital as ever.
In the end, what happens on the second Monday of October is not just about history, but about who gets to tell it, and how Americans choose to move forward together.
