Is Today A Holiday? What To Know About Columbus Day And Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Hey there, curious cat! Ever found yourself scratching your head, wondering, "Is today a holiday?" Well, buckle up, 'cause we're diving into the wild world of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. Grab a snack, 'cause this is gonna be a fun ride!

Columbus Day: The OG Explorer

Let's start with the big guy himself, Christopher Columbus. Born in the 1400s, this Italian dude was like the original globetrotter. He set sail in 1492, thinking he was headed to India, but ended up 'discovering' the Americas. Spoiler alert: Native Americans were already chillin' here for thousands of years!

Columbus Day was first celebrated in the U.S. in the late 1800s, with cities like New York and Colorado Springs jumping on the bandwagon. It wasn't until 1937 that Franklin D. Roosevelt made it a national holiday. Talk about a late birthday party!

Quirky Columbus Facts

Did you know Columbus was so convinced he was in India, he called the natives 'Indians'? Talk about a mix-up! And get this, he thought the Earth was a sphere, but he thought it was much smaller than it actually is. Spoiler alert: It's not a flat disc, folks!

Indigenous Peoples' Day: The New Kid on the Block

Now, let's talk about the newer, shinier holiday, Indigenous Peoples' Day. It's like the cool cousin who shows up to the party and steals the show. This day celebrates the original inhabitants of the lands we now call the Americas.

The first Indigenous Peoples' Day was celebrated in 1992, the same year the U.S. was partying like it was 1492. But it wasn't until 2016 that the first state, Vermont, made it an official state holiday. Since then, more cities and states have joined the party!

Fun Indigenous Facts

Did you know the Inuit people of the Arctic have over 50 words for snow? Talk about being in tune with the weather! And how about this: the ancient Mayans played a ball game called 'pitz' where the loser was often sacrificed. Now that's a high-stakes game!

How Columbus Day Became Indigenous Peoples Day Across The Us

Why the Switcheroo?

So, why the sudden switch from Columbus to Indigenous Peoples' Day? Well, folks started realizing that Columbus wasn't the hero we thought he was. He did some not-so-nice things to the Native Americans, like enslaving them and causing widespread suffering.

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day is a way to recognize the contributions and resilience of Native Americans, and to acknowledge the harm caused by Columbus's arrival. It's like trading in a sad story for a more hopeful one.

So, Is Today a Holiday?

Well, that depends! If you're in one of the many cities or states that have switched to Indigenous Peoples' Day, then yes, it's a holiday! But if you're still celebrating Columbus Day, you might want to consider making the switch. After all, who doesn't love a good party with a better cause?

And there you have it, folks! The wild, wacky world of holidays. So, the next time you find yourself wondering, "Is today a holiday?", you'll know just where to look. Happy exploring!