President Trump has signed a proclamation declaring Monday to be Columbus Day, in an effort to “reclaim” what he called the famed explorer’s “extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, perseverance, and virtue.”
In recent years, many people have instead celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day to recognize Native land and acknowledge the contributions Native Americans have made to the country.
Thursday’s proclamation does not mention Indigenous Peoples Day, but it accuses “left-wing arsonists” of trying to “destroy [Columbus’] name and dishonor his memory.”
The right wing groups have come on as strong advocates for Christopher Columbus.
Others note the Vikings beat Columbus to the Americas.
It became a dual holiday under Biden, and Trump reversed it.
“Columbus Day is a federal holiday, and while Indigenous Peoples’ Day doesn’t share that status, former President Joe Biden issued proclamations recognizing the holiday from 2021-24, the first U.S. president to do so, according to Smithsonian Magazine.”
In the end, it’s exploration that can be celebrated. . .