When it comes to controversy, few federal holidays can compare with October 12th. Depending on what part of the world you're in or even which neighborhood in a big city, October 12th can go by one of over a dozen different names.
Originally celebrated in New York City in 1792, Columbus Day became a celebration of Italian culture and its contributions to life in the United States. By 1892, after an incident of anti-Italian immigrant violence, President Benjamin Harrison declared the 12th to be a one-time national celebration that included school presentations and publications along patriotic, American themes. Francis Bellamy also published his most famous work for this celebration, the Pledge of Allegiance.
In Mexico and across Latin America, the 12th is known as Dia de la Raza, Dia de la Resistencia Indigena, El dia de la Raza y de la Hispanidad and Dia de las Americas among others. It is a chance for people to reflect upon and celebrate the Hispanic influence on the development of the two American continents and to appreciate the indigenous people whose traditions, food, religions and languages blended with the Europeans to make Hispanic culture what it is.
In recent years, October 12th has been marked by protests and the demands for the removal of statues and monuments that many in the Latino community view as representing oppressors and tyrants. Meanwhile, celebrations of Italian-American heritage continue in cities like New York and San Francisco. This year, President Joe Biden has proclaimed the holiday Indigenous Peoples' Day to celebrate the "invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples" and "recognize their inherent sovereignty".
