Yes. It is.
If you’re looking for a quick "yes" or "no" because you’re trying to figure out if the post office is open or if your bank transfer will actually clear today, there is your answer. Columbus Day is a federal holiday. It has been since 1892 when President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation, though it didn't become a permanent, legal federal holiday until LBJ signed it into law in 1968.
But honestly? That "yes" is a lot more complicated than it looks on paper.
Depending on where you live, what you do for a living, and even what your local school board thinks, you might find yourself working even though the federal government is technically "closed." It’s one of those weird quirks of the American system where Uncle Sam says one thing, but your boss says another.
Why the federal government still recognizes it
The federal government observes Columbus Day on the second Monday of October. This is thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The goal was simple: give federal employees more three-day weekends. People like long weekends. Government workers are people. It was a win-win for morale back in the late sixties.
Because it holds this federal status, all non-essential federal government offices are closed. The list includes:
- Social Security Administration offices
- The U.S. Postal Service (don't expect mail delivery)
- Federal courts
- The Department of Veterans Affairs
The Federal Reserve also observes the holiday. This is why your banking life gets weird. If you initiate a wire transfer or a Zelle payment that isn't instant, it might sit in limbo until Tuesday. Most commercial banks follow the Fed’s lead. If the Fed is closed, your local branch probably has the lights off too, though some smaller credit unions might stay open if they’re feeling rebellious.
The state-level divide: It's a patchwork out there
Here is where the "is Columbus Day a federal holiday" question gets messy. Just because the feds recognize it doesn't mean your state does.
States have the right to set their own holiday schedules. Currently, only about 16 states (and the territory of Puerto Rico) still officially recognize Columbus Day as a paid state holiday under that specific name. Think states like Alabama, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
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In other places, the name is changing or the holiday has been wiped off the books entirely.
Take Florida. They don't officially observe it at the state level, yet many schools there still close. Or look at South Dakota. They’ve been calling it Native Americans' Day since 1990. They were way ahead of the curve. Then you have Hawaii, which celebrates Discoverers' Day, and Alabama, which pulls a double-duty move by celebrating both Columbus Day and American Indian Heritage Day on the same date.
The rise of Indigenous Peoples' Day
You’ve probably noticed your iPhone or Google Calendar might list two names for the second Monday in October. In 2021, President Biden issued the first-ever presidential proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
This didn't "replace" the federal holiday in a legal sense—Columbus Day is still the name written in the U.S. Code—but it created a dual recognition at the highest level of government. It’s a shift in the cultural zeitgeist. For many, the day is now about honoring the people who were here long before a lost Italian explorer bumped into the Bahamas.
Cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, and Phoenix have gone all-in on this. They don't just "also" recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day; they have officially swapped it. If you’re in those cities, calling it Columbus Day might get you some side-eye at the local coffee shop.
What about school and work?
This is what most people actually care about. "Do I have to go to work?"
If you work for a private company, the answer is almost certainly yes. According to data from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), only about 14% of private-sector employers give their staff Columbus Day off. It’s just not a "top tier" holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Most companies save their holiday pay for the end-of-year rush.
Schools are a total toss-up.
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In New York City, the public school system is closed. In many parts of California, it’s a normal Monday. You have to check your specific district's "Instructional Calendar." Don't trust a general Google search for this—districts change their minds based on how many "snow days" they have left in the bank or local political pressure.
The historical baggage (The stuff you forgot from 5th grade)
We used to be taught that "In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue" and that was that. Hero status achieved.
But history is rarely that clean. Christopher Columbus never actually set foot on mainland North America. He spent his time in the Caribbean and Central and South America. More importantly, the records he left behind (and those of his contemporaries) paint a pretty grim picture of his time as a colonial governor. We’re talking about the enslavement of the Taíno people and some pretty brutal disciplinary tactics.
Italian Americans, however, have a very different connection to the day.
Back in the late 1800s, Italian immigrants were treated horribly in the U.S. They were discriminated against in housing, lynched in New Orleans, and viewed as "not white enough" by the Protestant establishment. For them, Columbus—an Italian—becoming a national hero was a way to say, "We belong here too." It was a shield against xenophobia.
That’s why you see such a fierce defense of the holiday in places with deep Italian roots, like Philadelphia or Long Island. It’s not necessarily that they’re cheering for 15th-century colonialism; they’re honoring their grandfathers' struggle to be seen as Americans.
Is the stock market open?
Surprisingly, yes.
While the bond market is closed (because it follows the federal government), the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq stay open. Traders don't get the day off. If you’re looking to buy some Nvidia or Apple stock on the second Monday of October, you’re good to go.
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It’s one of the few days of the year where the banks are closed but the ticker symbols are still moving. This can lead to lower trading volumes, which sometimes makes the market a little more volatile or "choppy" than usual, but for the average investor, it’s business as usual.
Retailers love it (obviously)
Even if you aren't off work, the retail world acts like you are.
Columbus Day weekend has turned into a massive sales event, right up there with Labor Day and Memorial Day. It’s the sweet spot for retailers. It’s late enough that people are thinking about winter coats and boots, but early enough that they aren't fully stressed about Christmas shopping yet.
You'll see huge "Columbus Day Sales" or "Fall Spectaculars" at:
- Mattress stores (Seriously, why is every holiday a mattress sale?)
- Appliance retailers (New washers/dryers often hit their lowest prices here)
- Clothing brands (Clearing out the summer leftovers)
Looking ahead: Will it stay a federal holiday?
There is constant talk in D.C. about officially renaming the federal holiday. Every few years, a bill is introduced in Congress to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day at the federal level.
So far, these bills haven't gained enough steam to pass. Why? Because politics. Removing a holiday is a lot harder than adding one (like when Juneteenth was added in 2021). No politician wants to be the one seen as "attacking" Italian American heritage, but they also want to be on the right side of modern social shifts.
The most likely outcome for the next few years is the status quo: a messy, confusing overlap where the federal government calls it one thing, the President proclaims it as two things, and you still have to go to work.
Actionable steps for your Monday
Since the holiday is a bit of a "phantom" for many, here is how you should handle it to avoid getting caught off guard:
- Check your mail expectations: If you’re waiting on a check or a package via USPS, add an extra day to your mental timer. UPS and FedEx generally operate normally, though.
- Verify bank errands: If you need to speak to a teller, call ahead. Most physical branches will be locked. Online banking will work, but transactions won't "post" until Tuesday.
- Audit your trash pickup: This is a big one. Many municipal waste services skip federal holidays. Check your city's sanitation website so your bins don't sit on the curb for 24 hours for no reason.
- Confirm school schedules: Check your district’s specific portal. Don't assume the neighboring town’s schedule is the same as yours.
- Shop the clearances: If you’ve been eyeing a big-ticket item like a dishwasher or a sofa, the weekend leading up to the holiday is genuinely one of the best times to buy before the Black Friday madness begins.
Basically, if you work for the government, enjoy your day off. If you don't, grab an extra coffee and expect your emails to go unanswered by your friends in the public sector.