Who made Columbus Day a holiday? This question often arises during discussions about the historical significance and cultural implications of the holiday. Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October, commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. However, the answer to who made Columbus Day a holiday is not as straightforward as one might think.
Columbus Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1792, in the bicentennial of Columbus’s voyage. It was not, however, designated as a federal holiday until much later. The first state to recognize Columbus Day as an official holiday was Colorado in 1907. This was followed by other states, and by 1937, Columbus Day became a federal holiday in the United States.
The movement to establish Columbus Day as a national holiday gained momentum in the early 20th century. Italian-American organizations, such as the Order of the Sons of Italy in America, played a significant role in promoting the holiday. They believed that recognizing Columbus’s voyage would honor the contributions of Italian immigrants to the United States.
The decision to make Columbus Day a holiday was not without controversy. Critics argue that the holiday celebrates the arrival of Columbus, who is often seen as the symbol of European colonization and the exploitation of indigenous peoples in the Americas. Many Native American groups, as well as some historians and activists, have called for the holiday to be renamed or abolished, emphasizing the negative impact of Columbus’s voyage on indigenous populations.
In recent years, some states and cities have taken steps to address these concerns. For instance, California and South Dakota have renamed the holiday Indigenous People’s Day, while others have removed Columbus Day from their calendars entirely. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the complex and often tragic history surrounding Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.
In conclusion, the answer to who made Columbus Day a holiday is a combination of Italian-American organizations, state governments, and the federal government. While the holiday was initially celebrated to honor the contributions of Italian immigrants, it has become a subject of debate and controversy in the United States. As awareness of the holiday’s complex history grows, the question of who made Columbus Day a holiday continues to be a relevant topic of discussion.
