What’s Open and Closed on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024

With both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day falling on the same Monday, many may wonder which businesses and services will be open.

Columbus Day was designated as a national holiday by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934, and since 1971, the second Monday of October has been officially celebrated as Columbus Day. However, in recent years, there has been a push to rebrand the holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day due to the controversial legacy of Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer whose arrival in the Americas led to widespread violence and exploitation of Indigenous populations.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while not a federal holiday, has been recognized by presidential proclamation for the past three years. President Joe Biden has called it a day to honor the “perseverance and courage of Indigenous peoples.”

Although Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, it is “one of the most inconsistently celebrated U.S. holidays,” according to the Pew Research Center.

Is Columbus Day Still a Federal Holiday?

Yes, despite the controversy surrounding it, Columbus Day remains one of the 11 federal holidays recognized by the U.S. government.

When Are Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2024?

Both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day will be observed on Monday, October 14, 2024.

What’s Open and Closed on Columbus Day?

• Post Offices: Closed. There will be no mail delivery, but shipping supplies can still be ordered online.
• Banks: Major banks like Wells Fargo and Bank of America will be closed in observance of both holidays. However, Chase branches will remain open, though online transactions will be treated like any federal holiday.
• Federal Offices: All non-essential federal offices will be closed. For instance, agencies such as Federal Student Aid will be offline, and no funds will be distributed to universities on the day.

The Legacy of Columbus Day

Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. As the leader of a Spanish expedition, Columbus’ journey marked the beginning of European colonization in the Western Hemisphere. His arrival also initiated the Columbian Exchange, which involved the trade of goods, animals, and people between Europe and the Americas.

Columbus Day has traditionally been celebrated by some, particularly in Italian American communities, but the holiday has become a source of controversy for others, especially Native American communities, due to the violent legacy Columbus left behind.

Why the Shift Toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day?

The traditional narrative of Christopher Columbus “discovering” the Americas has been criticized for overlooking the devastation his arrival caused to Indigenous populations. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Indigenous communities had lived in the Americas for tens of thousands of years before Columbus arrived. European colonization led to the displacement, death, and cultural erasure of these populations.

Critics of Columbus highlight the brutal actions he committed, including the enslavement and mistreatment of Indigenous people. Historical accounts reveal that Columbus:

• Used violence and slavery to control Indigenous populations.
• Introduced new diseases that decimated local communities.
• Attempted to forcibly convert Indigenous people to Christianity.
• Engaged in horrific acts such as cutting off the hands of Indigenous people who could not provide gold and participating in the trafficking of young girls.

Because of these atrocities, many states and cities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day or acknowledged both holidays.

Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day an Official Holiday?

The recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day varies across the U.S. While Columbus Day is still a federal holiday, approximately 29 states and Washington, D.C. no longer celebrate it. According to RenameColumbusDay.org, about 216 cities have replaced or renamed the holiday as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Some states recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day through proclamations, while others have officially made it a state holiday.

President Biden has issued proclamations honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day for the past three years. In his 2023 proclamation, he wrote, “Indigenous peoples are a beacon of resilience, strength, and perseverance as well as a source of incredible contributions.” He emphasized the importance of recognizing Indigenous perspectives to gain a fuller understanding of history.

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day not only acknowledges the atrocities of the past but also honors the resilience and ongoing contributions of Native American communities today, especially in their fight for recognition and environmental rights.