You wake up on a Monday in mid-October. The mail isn't coming. The bank is locked. But your boss expects you at your desk by 9:00 AM, and your kids might—or might not—be catching the school bus. It's a confusing mess. Honestly, the most common question people ask this time of year is, is Columbus Day still a thing? The answer depends entirely on where you live, who you work for, and how you feel about a 15th-century Italian navigator who never actually set foot in North America.
It's a federal holiday. That’s the short answer. But the reality is way more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no." While the post office takes the day off, the cultural landscape of the United States has shifted so dramatically over the last decade that the holiday is currently undergoing a massive identity crisis. We are watching a holiday vanish in real-time in some places, while others cling to it as a core part of their heritage.
The Federal Status vs. The Local Reality
Technically, Columbus Day is one of the eleven official federal holidays. This means it’s codified in the U.S. Code. It’s been that way since 1937 when Franklin D. Roosevelt, pressured by the Knights of Columbus and Italian-American groups, made it official.
But federal status doesn't mean what you think it means.
The federal government can't actually force states to close their offices or schools. They only have jurisdiction over federal employees and Washington D.C. This is why you’ll see some states like New Jersey or Massachusetts largely observing it, while others just treat it like a normal Monday.
Where it’s still "a thing"
If you’re in a city with deep Italian-American roots—think New York City, Philadelphia, or Chicago—Columbus Day is very much still a thing. These parades aren't just about a guy in a boat; they’ve evolved into "Italian Heritage Day" celebrations. For these communities, the holiday represents the era when Italian immigrants were marginalized and used this day to assert their place in the American fabric.
The rise of Indigenous Peoples' Day
Then there’s the other side of the coin. Since the 1990s, starting notably in Berkeley, California, there’s been a massive push to rename or replace the day. As of 2026, over a dozen states and more than 130 cities have officially ditched Columbus in favor of Indigenous Peoples' Day.
States like Alaska, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, and Oregon don’t recognize Columbus Day at all. Instead, they use the second Monday in October to honor the history and culture of the people who were here long before 1492. President Biden even issued the first-ever presidential proclamation for Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2021, effectively creating a dual-track holiday at the national level.
Why the Controversy Won't Go Away
Let’s be real. Christopher Columbus is a polarizing figure. For a long time, the schoolroom version of history was simple: "In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue." He was a hero. He "discovered" America.
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But history is rarely that clean.
Modern historians and activists point to the primary sources—Columbus's own journals and the writings of contemporary Bartolomé de las Casas. These documents describe the brutal treatment of the Taíno people in the Caribbean, including enslavement and extreme violence. For many, celebrating Columbus feels like celebrating the start of a genocide.
On the flip side, many Italian-Americans feel like their history is being erased. They argue that the holiday was established to celebrate a minority group that faced intense discrimination in the 19th and early 20th centuries. To them, pulling down Columbus statues feels like an attack on their ancestors' struggle for acceptance.
It’s a classic American culture war. No one is backing down.
Is Columbus Day Still a Thing in Schools and Workplaces?
This is where it gets annoying for the average person trying to plan their week. There is zero consistency.
- Public Schools: In many liberal-leaning districts or states that have adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day, schools are closed. In many "red" states or areas with traditional leanings, they are open.
- The Private Sector: For most corporate workers, Columbus Day is a "ghost holiday." According to data from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), only about 14% of private-sector employers give their staff the day off. Most businesses treat it like a normal workday to save their "floating holidays" for the Friday after Thanksgiving or the week of Christmas.
- Retail and Banking: Banks are closed because they follow the Federal Reserve schedule. Retailers, however, love this day. Much like Labor Day, it’s become a massive excuse for mattress sales and "fall clearance" events.
Basically, if you work for a bank or the government, you get a nap. If you work for a tech startup or a grocery store, you’re working.
The Weird History of How We Got Here
It’s easy to think this holiday has been around forever. It hasn't.
The first recorded celebration was in 1792, organized by the Tammany Society in New York to mark the 300th anniversary of the landing. But it didn't become a "thing" for the masses until 1892. That year, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation after a horrific incident in New Orleans where 11 Italian immigrants were lynched.
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The holiday was actually a way to smooth over diplomatic tensions with Italy and help Italian immigrants feel more "American." It was a political tool as much as it was a historical commemoration.
In 1971, the date was moved from the fixed date of October 12th to the "second Monday in October" thanks to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Why? Because Congress wanted more three-day weekends for federal workers. It had less to do with honoring Columbus and more to do with boosting travel and retail spending.
Global Perspectives: It’s Not Just a U.S. Issue
If you think the debate is heated here, look at Latin America.
In many Spanish-speaking countries, the day was traditionally known as Día de la Raza (Day of the Race). It was meant to celebrate the "Hispanic" identity that emerged from the blending of European and Indigenous cultures.
However, that’s changing too.
- Mexico now calls it Día de la Nación Pluricultural.
- Argentina renamed it to the Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity.
- Venezuela and Nicaragua call it the Day of Indigenous Resistance.
The global trend is moving away from the "Great Man" theory of history and toward a more inclusive (and often more painful) look at what happens when two worlds collide.
Navigating the Day: Actionable Insights
So, how do you handle this mid-October confusion? Since the holiday is in a state of flux, you need a strategy.
1. Check the local calendar early.
Don't assume your kid's school is closed. Don't assume the DMV is open. Check your specific city or county website. Because "Columbus Day" is being renamed to "Indigenous Peoples' Day" or "Italian Heritage Day" in different jurisdictions, search for "October holiday closures [City Name]."
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2. Understand the "Federal" catch.
If you are waiting for a passport, a social security check, or a package via USPS, it will be delayed by 24 hours. FedEx and UPS usually operate normally, but the Post Office is a hard "no."
3. Use the sales, but ignore the hype.
If you need a big-ticket item like an appliance or furniture, the weekend leading up to the second Monday of October is statistically one of the best times to buy. Just don't feel obligated to "celebrate" the namesake if you aren't feeling it.
4. Acknowledge the shift.
If you’re a business owner or a manager, be aware that the name "Columbus Day" can be sensitive for employees and customers. Many companies are moving toward calling it "Fall Break" or "Indigenous Peoples' Day" to stay neutral or more inclusive.
5. Explore the "Other" History.
Regardless of where you stand on the statues, the day is a great excuse to actually read something real. Check out An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz to see the perspective that's currently reshaping the holiday. Or, look into the history of the 1891 New Orleans lynchings to understand why Italian-Americans fought so hard for this recognition in the first place.
The Verdict
Is Columbus Day still a thing? In the eyes of the federal government, yes. In the eyes of retailers, yes. But in the cultural heart of the country, it’s a holiday in the middle of a messy divorce. We are moving toward a future where the second Monday in October is a "choose your own adventure" holiday—some will march for Italian pride, some will protest for Indigenous rights, and most of us will just be annoyed that the bank is closed when we finally have a free minute to go there.
Expect the name to continue fading from school calendars and corporate emails over the next few years. The day off might stay, but the name on the calendar is definitely on its way out in most of the country.
Next Steps for Planning:
- Verify your bank's schedule: Most major branches (Chase, Wells Fargo, BofA) will be physically closed, though ATMs and mobile banking remain active.
- Check trash collection: Many municipalities do not pick up trash on federal holidays. If your city observes it, your pickup will likely be pushed back by one day.
- Audit your company policy: If you are an employer, look at your "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" (DEI) goals; many firms are officially transitioning the holiday name in their 2026 handbooks to reflect Indigenous Peoples' Day.
- Research local events: If you're in a major metro area, look for "Indigenous Peoples' Day" festivals or "Italian Heritage" parades—both often happen simultaneously on opposite sides of town.