If you woke up on October 14 wondering why the post office is closed or why your banking app hasn’t updated your balance, you aren't alone. It’s a weird day in the American calendar. Some call it Columbus Day. Others call it Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Depending on which state line you just crossed, it might not be a holiday at all.
Honestly, the Oct 14 holiday is a bit of a mess.
It is officially a federal holiday in the United States, which means the heavy hitters like the Social Security Administration and the federal courts take the day off. But unlike Christmas or Independence Day, the private sector usually stays at their desks. Only about 15% of private businesses give their employees a paid day off for this mid-October break. It’s the holiday that feels like a "maybe."
Why the Oct 14 holiday is actually two different things
For decades, this was just Columbus Day. Established as a federal holiday in 1937 by Franklin D. Roosevelt, it was originally a win for Italian-Americans who wanted to celebrate their heritage and a seat at the American table. They chose the date to mark Christopher Columbus's landing in the Americas in 1492.
But things changed.
History is messy. As we started looking closer at what that "discovery" actually meant for the people already living here, the vibe shifted. In 1990, South Dakota became the first state to ditch the explorer’s name in favor of Native American Day. Since then, it’s been a domino effect. Now, dozens of cities and states have officially pivoted.
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In 2021, President Joe Biden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day. He didn't delete Columbus Day, but he put both on the same calendar page. So, depending on who you ask, the Oct 14 holiday is either a celebration of Italian-American roots or a solemn day to honor the history and resilience of Native American tribes.
The patchwork of state laws
You’d think a federal holiday would be universal. It isn't.
Take Florida or Texas, for example. In many parts of these states, October 14 is just another Monday. You go to work. You pay your bills. There is no state-level recognition. Meanwhile, in Maine or New Mexico, the focus is entirely on Indigenous culture.
California does its own thing. While it recognizes the day, it often designates it as a "floater" or focuses on Native American Day in September, yet many local government offices in the state will still shutter on the second Monday of October. It’s confusing. If you are planning a trip or a business meeting, you basically have to check the specific municipal code of the city you’re visiting.
Banks, Mail, and Garbage: What’s actually open?
Since it’s a federal holiday, the United States Postal Service (USPS) does not deliver mail. Period. Your Amazon package might still arrive if it’s coming via UPS or FedEx, though, because those are private companies and they generally treat October 14 as a normal business day.
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- Banks: Most are closed. This includes the Federal Reserve. If you initiate a wire transfer on the Friday before, don't expect it to land until Tuesday.
- Stock Market: This is the curveball. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq stay open. You can trade stocks all day, but you can’t cash out through a bank.
- Schools: This is a toss-up. Big districts like New York City often close, but many suburban districts stay open to save their "snow days" for later in the year.
The controversy that won't go away
People get really heated about this. On one side, groups like the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America argue that removing Columbus's name erases a symbol of Italian-American pride. They see him as a bridge between the old world and the new.
On the flip side, Indigenous activists point to the brutal reality of colonization. They argue that celebrating a man whose arrival triggered centuries of genocide and forced displacement is, well, pretty messed up. Organizations like the Indigenous Peoples Day Initiative work year-round to get more cities to flip the script.
It’s not just a name change. It’s a fundamental shift in how we tell the American story.
Real ways people observe the day
If you're in a city that celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day, like Phoenix or Minneapolis, you'll see markets, traditional dances, and educational panels. It’s less about a parade and more about visibility.
In places like New York City, the Columbus Day Parade is still a massive deal. It’s one of the largest celebrations of Italian heritage in the world, with marching bands and floats taking over Fifth Avenue.
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Then there’s the "Retail Holiday" version. For many Americans, the Oct 14 holiday is just a three-day weekend meant for buying a mattress. Because it falls in mid-October, retailers use it as a clearance window for summer goods and a "pre-Black Friday" teaser.
The global perspective (It's not just a US thing)
Canada celebrates their Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. So, while Americans are arguing over statues, Canadians are eating turkey.
In Latin America, the day is often called Día de la Raza (Day of the Race). However, even there, the name is changing. In Argentina, it’s the Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity. In Venezuela, it’s the Day of Indigenous Resistance. It seems the shift toward honoring Indigenous roots isn't just a "liberal US" trend—it’s a Western Hemisphere movement.
Navigating the day effectively
If you are a business owner or a manager, you've got to be careful. Scheduling a major project launch or a mandatory meeting on the Oct 14 holiday can be a headache if your clients are in states where the day is a big deal.
The best move? Treat it like a "half-holiday." Expect slower response times from government agencies and banks. If you have employees from diverse backgrounds, acknowledging the dual nature of the day—or simply calling it a "Fall Break"—tends to land better than taking a hard political stance.
Actionable steps for October 14
Don't let the holiday catch you off guard. Here is how to handle the logistics:
- Check your banking: If you have bills due on the 14th, pay them by the 11th. Online banking might show your transaction, but it won't "settle" until the 15th, which could trigger late fees on some older systems.
- Verify school schedules: Don't assume your kid has the day off just because the local post office is closed. Check the specific district calendar 48 hours in advance.
- Support local Indigenous creators: If you want to mark the day meaningfully, look for Native-owned businesses or artists. It's a more direct way to honor the spirit of Indigenous Peoples' Day than just posting a hashtag.
- Plan for traffic: If you live near a major city holding a parade (like NYC, Chicago, or Boston), expect massive road closures and public transit delays.
- Check trash pickup: Most municipal waste services actually do run on October 14, but some smaller towns delay it by 24 hours. A quick look at your city's Twitter or website will save you from leaving a bin on the curb for no reason.
The Oct 14 holiday is a reflection of a country in transition. It’s a day of heritage, a day of mourning, and a day of confusing bank hours all rolled into one. Whether you're marching in a parade or just enjoying a quiet Monday, knowing the "why" behind the closure makes the day a lot easier to navigate.