Key things to know about Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day

State holidays observed on the second Monday in October

As of Oct. 10, 2024

A map of the United States showing which holiday is observed on the second Monday of October as a paid day off, with different colors representing Indigenous Peoples' Day, Columbus Day, both holidays, or something else.

Indigenous

 Peoples' Day

Columbus

 Day

Both

Something

 else

D.C.

Note: The map only shows state-observed holidays, though cities might observe others. Alabama (Fraternal Day) and Virginia (Yorktown Victory Day) observe both Columbus Day and an unrelated holiday on the same day. Data: Axios research, Pew Research; Map: Axios Visuals

Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, is a federal holiday, but its name and focus vary by state. While some states still call it Columbus Day, others have shifted to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day to honor Native American contributions. Efforts to rename the holiday have been ongoing, with advocates pushing for this change since the 1990s.

In 2021, President Biden became the first president to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day, reflecting the growing movement to replace Columbus Day. Seventeen states still observe Columbus Day as an official holiday, while others, like New Mexico and Maine, recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day. Despite these shifts, many states neither officially celebrate Columbus Day nor Indigenous Peoples' Day, though some issue annual proclamations for both.

On this day, banks and the USPS close, but stock markets, FedEx, and UPS remain open.