With fall officially here, it’s time to start marking the date of the next federal holiday on our calendars.
On 10 October, those living in the US will observe the eighth federal holiday of the year, otherwise known as Indigenious Peoples’ Day or Columbus Day. The holiday is observed on the second Monday in October, and used to celebrate Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas on 12 October 1492.
However, the day was renamed Indigenious Peoples Day in 1992 amid criticism over Columbus’ role in history, as many claimed he should not be celebrated for bringing disease and strife into the Native communities living in the Americas.
The date, which now honours Native American individuals, will see many Americans receive the day off as a federal holiday.
First introduced by Congress in 1885 when it was decided that federal employees should have certain days off from work, the list of US federal holidays is made up of 11 days of significance that Americans recognise - and celebrate.
To ensure that these holidays are observed, certain guidelines have been put in place, with federal holidays that fall on a Saturday observed by federal employees on the previous Friday, while holidays that fall on Sunday are observed the following Monday.
While employees in the private sector may or may not get the day off, depending on their employer, a federal holiday means that non-essential federal government offices are closed and banks, post offices and schools may also be closed.
From Memorial Day to Thanksgiving, these are the dates of the 2022 federal holidays.
New Year’s Day: Saturday, January 1 [Observed Friday, December 31]
Martin Luther King Jr Day: Monday, January 17
President’s Day: Monday, February 21
Memorial Day: Monday, May 30
Juneteenth: Sunday, June 19 [Observed Monday, June 20]
Independence Day: Monday, July 4
Labor Day: Monday, September 5
Indigenous Peoples’ Day [also observed as Columbus Day]: Monday, October 10
Veterans’ Day: Friday, November 11
Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 24
Christmas Day: Sunday, December 25 [Observed Monday, December 26]
Other important days to note:
Valentine’s Day: Monday, February 14
St Patrick’s Day: Thursday, March 17
Good Friday: Friday, April 15
Easter: Sunday, April 17
Mother’s Day: Sunday, May 8
Father’s Day: Sunday, June 19
In the 1980s, the American Indian community held protests demanding the replacement of Columbus Day with a day to celebrate the Indigenous People. The argument was that Columbus Day celebrates oppression, injustice, and colonialism subjected to the indigenous people. As the years went by, the move was embraced by various states who scrapped off Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples Day. Since then, most states have changed it to Indigenous Peoples Day, although others maintain it as an observation Day and not a paid holiday for employees. New Mexico and Maine adopted the holiday in 2019.
When is Indigenous Peoples Day?
Indigenous Peoples Day is observed on the second Monday in October in New Mexico and Maine. Indigenous Peoples Day 2020 will be on October 12th.
Is Indigenous Peoples Day a public holiday?
Indigenous Peoples Day is a state holiday in Mexico and Maine. However, most other states do not recognize it as a state holiday but rather an observance day.
What is open or closed on Indigenous Peoples Day
In New Mexico and other states where Indigenous Peoples Day is observed as a state holiday, government offices, organizations, schools, and most businesses remain closed. Emergency health services, police, and fire department are, however, open as usual. Operations in states that do not recognize the day as a day off are likely to run, as usual, considering that the day is just an observance here.
Things to do on Indigenous Peoples Day
It is time to celebrate indigenous people's contributions to the economy of the United States. It is also time for you to learn about Native Americans and their achievements. Most educational institutions often organize programs aimed at teaching the public about traditions, culture, and the background of the indigenous people. These programs are mostly free, and it would be a good thing to attend them.
You may also attend cultural activities held in most towns such as pow wows, where you will get a chance to dance, sing, and socialize with the native people. You will also get an opportunity to taste indigenous food while having fun.
There are also rallies and parades geared towards addressing the plight of indigenous people in the USA. While at it, be sure to buy artworks often displayed by hundreds of creative native people. There is no better support than purchasing creatives from the indigenous people.
If you already have a wealth of knowledge about the indigenous people, spend this day raising awareness to churches and community groups about the traditions and history of the natives.
If you do not have time to participate in such activities, consider donating to organizations that work towards indigenous people's rights. You may, however, need to do a background check to determine reputable and genuine organizations.