History of Columbus Day in Timeline
Columbus Day is a holiday celebrated in parts of the Americas, commemorating Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. While initially landing in the Bahamas, Columbus established the first permanent Spanish settlement in Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic) in 1493, marking a pivotal moment in history.
1905: First Statewide Columbus Day Holiday Proclaimed in Colorado
In 1905, Colorado governor Jesse F. McDonald proclaimed the first statewide Columbus Day holiday in the United States, marking a key moment in the formal recognition of the day.
1907: Columbus Day Becomes a Statutory Holiday in Colorado
In 1907, Columbus Day was made a statutory holiday in Colorado, further solidifying its status as an official day of recognition in the state.
June 1915: El Salvador Establishes "Fiesta de la Raza"
El Salvador established the "Fiesta de la Raza" holiday in June 1915, initially celebrating it on October 12th.
1916: Day of the Race Established in Argentina
In 1916, Argentina, under President Hipólito Yrigoyen, established "The Day of the Race" to commemorate Columbus's arrival in the Americas.
1917: Día de la Raza First Celebrated in Argentina
In 1917, Argentina celebrated Día de la Raza for the first time, marking October 12 as a day to commemorate the first encounters between Europeans and Native Americans.
1918: Spain Begins Celebrating "Día de la Hispanidad"
In 1918, Spain began celebrating "Día de la Hispanidad" as a national day to commemorate the Discovery of America and the Hispanicity.
1921: Venezuela and Colombia Celebrate Día de la Raza
In 1921, Venezuela and Colombia began celebrating Día de la Raza, recognizing the cultural interactions and histories following Columbus' arrival in the Americas.
1921: Venezuela Establishes Día de la Raza
Venezuela, under President Juan Vicente Gómez, officially established "Día de la Raza" in 1921, joining other Latin American nations in commemorating this day.
1922: Chile Joins in Celebrating Día de la Raza
In 1922, Chile joined other Latin American countries in celebrating Día de la Raza, acknowledging the historical significance of Columbus' arrival and its impact on indigenous cultures.
1928: Mexico Celebrates Día de la Raza for the First Time
In 1928, Mexico observed Día de la Raza for the first time, a reflection on the historical and cultural interactions initiated by Columbus' arrival in the Americas.
1928: Vatican Appoints Our Lady of Guadalupe as Queen of Hispanicity
In 1928, the Vatican appointed Our Lady of Guadalupe in Extremadura as Queen of Hispanicity.
1934: Columbus Day Statute Passed by Congress
In 1934, Congress passed a statute requesting the President to annually proclaim October 12 as Columbus Day, calling for national observance and flag display, influenced by the lobbying efforts of the Knights of Columbus and Italian community leaders.
December 1937: Escuadrilla Binacional Pro Faro de Colón Expedition
In December 1937, a joint Cuban-Dominican expedition, inspired by Columbus's voyage, set out to raise funds for a lighthouse in the Dominican Republic. The expedition, facing tragic plane crashes, highlighted the enduring fascination with Columbus's legacy. The surviving plane is preserved as a memorial.
1937: Cuban President Addresses the Nation on Columbus Day
On October 12, 1937, Cuban President Federico Laredo Brú delivered a national address commemorating Columbus's arrival, reflecting on the impact of colonization and emphasizing national pride.
1941: Italian and Italian Americans Interned During WWII
In 1941, due to World War II tensions, Italian and Italian Americans were interned in the United States, labeled as "enemy aliens" due to fears of their loyalty to Italy, marking a significant period of discrimination and challenges for the community.
1942: Roosevelt Announces Plan to Offer Citizenship to Italians on Columbus Day
On Columbus Day in 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt announced the removal of the "enemy alien" designation for Italian Americans and proposed offering citizenship to elderly Italians who couldn't acquire it due to literacy requirements, although the plan's full implementation awaited Italy's surrender in 1943.
September 8, 1943: Italy Surrenders to Allies, Ending Internment of Italians in the US
On September 8, 1943, Italy's surrender to the Allies during World War II led to the release of interned Italian Americans, ending a challenging chapter of discrimination and marking a turning point in their treatment in the US.
1957: Spain Changes Celebration to Día de la Hispanidad
In 1957, Spain renamed its celebration from Día de la Raza to Día de la Hispanidad, shifting focus to a broader recognition of Hispanic culture and influence.
1966: National Columbus Day Committee Founded
In 1966, Mariano A. Lucca from Buffalo, New York, founded the National Columbus Day Committee, which played a crucial role in lobbying for Columbus Day to become a federal holiday in the United States.
June 28, 1968: Legislation Signed to Make Columbus Day a Federal Holiday
On June 28, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation making Columbus Day a federal holiday, set to be observed starting in 1971, following successful lobbying efforts by the National Columbus Day Committee.
1968: National Council of La Raza Established
In 1968, the National Council of La Raza was established as a prominent Hispanic social justice organization in the United States, playing a significant role in advocating for Hispanic communities.
1971: Columbus Day Becomes a Federal Holiday
In 1971, Columbus Day was officially recognized as a federal holiday in the United States, observed on the second Monday in October, marking a significant milestone in its national recognition.
1971: Columbus Day Observed as a Federal Holiday
Since 1971, Columbus Day has been observed as a federal holiday in the United States on the second Monday in October, celebrated by various institutions, although some businesses and regions choose not to observe it.
1981: Spain Officially Establishes "Fiesta Nacional y Día de la Hispanidad"
In 1981, a royal decree in Spain established "Fiesta Nacional y Día de la Hispanidad" as a national holiday.
1987: Spain Renames Holiday and Adds Constitution Day
In 1987, Spain changed the name of the October 12 holiday to "Fiesta Nacional" and added Constitution Day on December 6 as a second national celebration.
1990: First Intercontinental Gathering of Indigenous People in the Americas
In 1990, the first Intercontinental Gathering of Indigenous People in the Americas took place in Quito, Ecuador, to organize opposition to the 1992 Columbus Day quincentennial.
October 10, 1992: Pope John Paul II Visits Dominican Republic for 500th Anniversary
On October 10, 1992, Pope John Paul II visited the Dominican Republic to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the Americas and the arrival of Christianity. His visit concluded with a mass at the first cathedral in the Western Hemisphere.
October 12, 1992: International Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People
On October 12, 1992, Native Americans declared this date as "International Day of Solidarity with Indigenous People" in opposition to the Columbus Day quincentennial celebration.
1992: Inauguration of the Columbus Lighthouse
In 1992, the Dominican Republic inaugurated the Columbus Lighthouse, a grand monument and museum that aimed to celebrate Columbus and his connection to the Americas. However, controversy arose regarding the authenticity of the remains claimed to be Columbus's.
1992: Berkeley, California, Celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day
In 1992, Berkeley, California, became the first U.S. city to eschew Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, setting a precedent that many other cities followed in subsequent years.
September 21, 1994: Costa Rica Renames Columbus Day
On September 21, 1994, Costa Rica changed "Día de la Raza" to "Día del Encuentro de las Culturas" to recognize the country's diverse cultural mix.
1996: First Hispanic March on Washington
On Columbus Day in 1996, the first Hispanic March on Washington took place, marking a significant moment of mobilization and advocacy for Hispanic rights and issues in the United States.
2000: Spain Designates October 12 as Day of the Armed Forces
Since 2000, Spain has also celebrated October 12 as its Day of the Armed Forces with a military parade in Madrid.
2001: The Bahamas Replaces Discovery Day
In 2001, The Bahamas replaced "Discovery Day" with "National Heroes Day", signifying a move away from colonial commemorations.
2002: Venezuela Renames Celebration to Día de la Resistencia Indígena
In 2002, Venezuela changed the name of the celebration from Día de la Raza to Día de la Resistencia Indígena, emphasizing indigenous resistance to European colonization.
2002: Venezuela Replaces Día de la Raza
In 2002, Venezuela, under President Hugo Chávez, replaced "Día de la Raza" with "Día de la Resistencia Indígena" to acknowledge the indigenous resistance against European colonization.
October 12, 2004: Statue of Columbus Toppled in Caracas
On October 12, 2004, pro-government activists in Caracas toppled a statue of Christopher Columbus, symbolizing a growing sentiment against colonial figures and highlighting the controversies surrounding his legacy.
2004: Italy Officially Recognizes Columbus Day
In 2004, Italy officially established "Giornata nazionale di Cristoforo Colombo" to celebrate Columbus's life and legacy.
2004: UCLA Publishes Critical Compendium of Columbus-Era Documents
In 2004, the University of California, Los Angeles, published a compendium of Columbus-era documents that highlighted Columbus's exploitation and enslavement of indigenous populations, sparking further criticism of Columbus Day.
2008: Caracas Renames Walk to Honor Indigenous Resistance
Further solidifying the shift in narrative, Caracas renamed the walk where the Columbus statue stood to "Indigenous Resistance Walk" in 2008 and erected a statue of indigenous leader Guaicaipuro.
2009: Peru Celebrates Indigenous Peoples and Intercultural Dialogue Day
In 2009, Peru introduced a new celebration for October 12, known as Día de los pueblos originarios y el diálogo intercultural ("Indigenous Peoples and Intercultural Dialogue Day"). This change was part of an effort to recognize and honor indigenous cultures on the date traditionally associated with Columbus Day.
2009: Peru Renames Columbus Day to Recognize Indigenous Peoples
In 2009, Peru renamed "Día del descubrimiento de América" to "Día de los pueblos originarios y el diálogo intercultural" to acknowledge the impact on indigenous populations and promote intercultural dialogue.
2010: Argentina Renames Columbus Day
In 2010, Argentina, under President Cristina Kirchner, changed the name of "The Day of the Race" to "Day of Respect of Cultural Diversity" and replaced a statue of Columbus with one of Juana Azurduy, a patriot with indigenous ancestry.
2010: New York City's Largest Columbus Day Parade
In 2010, New York City's Columbus Day Parade, known for being the largest in the nation, featured over 35,000 marchers and attracted one million viewers, highlighting the significant Italian-American community presence and celebration.
2013: Rasmussen Reports Survey Shows Opposition to Columbus Day
A 2013 Rasmussen Reports survey revealed that 26% to 38% of American adults oppose celebrating Columbus Day.
2015: Rasmussen Reports and Catholic Marist Polls Show Opposition to Columbus Day
Surveys conducted in 2015 by Rasmussen Reports and Catholic Marist Polls showed ongoing opposition to Columbus Day, with opposition ranging from 26% to 38%.
2017: Akron, Ohio, Debates Replacing Columbus Day
In 2017, the Akron, Ohio city council faced racial divisions over a proposal to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, indicating the complexities and sensitivities in reconciling different community perspectives on the holiday.
2017: National Council of La Raza Rebrands as UnidosUS
In 2017, the National Council of La Raza rebranded to UnidosUS, reflecting its evolution and expanded mission to advocate for Hispanic communities across the United States.
2018: Numerous U.S. Cities Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day
By 2018, many U.S. cities, including Austin, Denver, and Seattle, had replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, reflecting a growing movement to honor indigenous cultures and histories.
2018: Akron, Ohio, Compromise on North American First People's Day
In 2018, Akron, Ohio, reached a compromise by naming the first Monday of October as North American First People's Day while retaining Columbus Day, reflecting efforts to balance diverse community interests and heritage.
2018: Columbus, Ohio, Removes Columbus Day as a City Holiday
In 2018, Columbus, Ohio, decided to honor veterans instead of celebrating Columbus Day as a city holiday, reflecting a shift in focus and recognition of different historical perspectives.
December 18, 2020: Mexico Renames Columbus Day, Replaces Statue
On December 18, 2020, Mexico renamed "Columbus Day" to "Day of the Pluricultural Nation." A statue of Columbus was replaced with a replica of "The Young Woman of Amajac," an indigenous woman sculpture.
2020: Colorado Replaces Columbus Day with Frances Xavier Cabrini Day
In 2020, Colorado replaced Columbus Day with Frances Xavier Cabrini Day, observed a week earlier, reflecting a shift in focus away from Christopher Columbus to other historical figures.
2020: Costa Rica Eliminates Día del Encuentro de las Culturas
In 2020, after years of debate, Costa Rica eliminated "Día del Encuentro de las Culturas" and replaced it with "Military Abolition Day" on December 1st.
2020: Columbus Day Renamed in Akron, Ohio
In 2020, the city of Akron, Ohio, renamed Columbus Day to Italian-American Heritage and Culture Day, reflecting ongoing discussions and considerations of cultural representation and recognition.
October 12, 2021: El Salvador Abolishes "Fiesta de la Raza"
On October 12, 2021, El Salvador abolished the "Fiesta de la Raza" holiday to recognize the historical mistreatment of indigenous peoples and their neglect by previous governments.
2021: Colombia Renames Columbus Day
In 2021, Colombia changed the name of "El día de la Raza y de la Hispanidad" to "Día de la Diversidad Étnica y Cultural de la Nación Colombiana", shifting the focus to cultural and ethnical diversity.