Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump has officially reinstated Columbus Day as a federal holiday, reversing years of recognition for Indigenous Peoples’ Day across government observances.
The move comes through a presidential proclamation issued Wednesday, in which Trump described Christopher Columbus as “the original American hero” and condemned efforts to remove his legacy from public spaces.
The declaration marks a sharp return to traditional observance, ending the dual recognition established under previous administrations that honored both Columbus and Indigenous peoples on the second Monday of October.
In his statement, Trump credited Columbus with paving “the way for the ultimate triumph of Western civilization” and accused “left-wing radicals” of attempting to erase history by toppling statues and renaming holidays. The proclamation directs that all federal buildings display the U.S. flag on Columbus Day in honor of “the great Christopher Columbus and all who have contributed to building our Nation.”
End of dual holiday observance
Columbus Day has long been a point of national dispute, with dozens of states and cities in recent years choosing to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead. The shift gained momentum during the 2010s as part of a broader reevaluation of historical figures associated with colonization. Trump’s new proclamation eliminates that recognition at the federal level, reinstating Columbus Day as the sole national observance.
Political and cultural reaction expected
The decision is likely to spark new debate between supporters who view Columbus as a symbol of exploration and critics who see him as a figure tied to the displacement of Indigenous populations. Early reactions from advocacy groups signaled plans to protest the proclamation, while Italian-American organizations praised the move as a restoration of cultural pride.
Historical significance and future implications
Columbus Day was first recognized as a federal holiday in 1934, established by a joint resolution of Congress and later modified in 1968. While the federal holiday never officially changed names, the White House under Presidents Obama and Biden issued proclamations recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in tandem. Trump’s latest order is the first to explicitly end that dual recognition since the 1970s.
The proclamation also emphasizes U.S.–Italy relations, noting shared values of “faith, family, and freedom.” Administration officials said no further policy changes are planned beyond the holiday declaration.
The change ensures that, beginning Monday, October 13, only Columbus Day will appear on the federal calendar—an unmistakable signal of Trump’s cultural and political priorities as his administration continues to reverse symbolic changes made over the last decade.
The holiday dispute, reignited once again, underscores that in America’s battle over history, no calendar date remains untouched.