Trump’s latest move rekindles an old American tradition "from the ashes"
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In a move that has stirred up both support and controversy, President Donald Trump has announced his intention to bring back a "forgotten" day “from the ashes,” positioning himself as a defender of traditional American icons.
This declaration comes in response to a shift in the national conversation around the holiday. Can you guess which one’s making a comeback?
The History and Evolution of Columbus Day
Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October, has been a federal holiday since 1934, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt made it official.
Originally intended to celebrate Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, the day has also been seen as a way to honor Italian-American heritage.
However, the legacy of Columbus has been reexamined in recent years, with critics pointing to the devastating impact of colonization on Indigenous populations.
This has led to a growing movement to replace or coincide Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, a holiday that honors the history, culture, and contributions of Native American peoples.
Trump's Stance on Columbus Day
On Sunday, President Trump made it clear that he would not continue the tradition started by his predecessor of recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day in October.
He accused Democrats of trying to tarnish the explorer’s legacy, as he pushed forward with his campaign to restore what he views as traditional American symbols.
Democratic President Joe Biden was the first to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, issuing a 2021 proclamation honoring "the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples" and acknowledging "their inherent sovereignty."
Biden’s proclamation emphasized that America "was conceived on a promise of equality and opportunity for all people," but acknowledged that this promise "we have never fully lived up to. That is especially true when it comes to upholding the rights and dignity of the Indigenous people who were here long before colonization of the Americas began."
Also read: George Clooney claps back, “My job isn’t to please the president.”
On Sunday, Mr. Trump took to social media, declaring, "I'm bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes."
Posting on his Truth Social account, he added, "the Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much."
Trump further stated that he is "hereby reinstating Columbus Day under the same rules, dates, and locations, as it has had for all of the many decades before!"
During President Biden's term, the second Monday in October continued to be called Columbus Day at the federal level, but it was also recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day.
Although it remained a federal holiday, Biden did not alter how or when Columbus Day was observed. In his proclamation, he instructed that the US flag be flown on all public buildings "in honor of our diverse history and the Indigenous peoples who contribute to shaping this Nation."
Biden’s acknowledgment fulfilled a longtime objective for activists aiming to shift the focus away from celebrating Columbus' voyages to highlighting the exploitation of Indigenous peoples by Columbus and those who followed him.
Even before Biden's official proclamation, several states and cities — including Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Seattle; Denver; and Austin, Texas — had chosen to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day, as a way of honoring victims of colonialism.
Source: Daily Mail World / Youtube.
New York is among the locations that recognize both names for the holiday. Gov. Kathy Hochul first officially recognized Indigenous Peoples Day in 2021, while New York City continues to host the largest Columbus Day parade in the country.
Although Mr. Trump has often opposed framing American history through the lens of diversity and oppression, the holiday he is seeking to re-emphasize was itself introduced in response to the nation's growing diversity.
You might need: 2025 must-know dates: Don’t miss these key moments!
While Columbus never set foot on what is now the United States, his voyages made him a symbol for Italian Americans, who became more prominently celebrated as waves of immigrants arrived and political leaders sought their support.
The first Columbus Day celebration in the US was prompted by the 1891 lynching of 11 Italian-American immigrants in New Orleans.
The following year, President Benjamin Harrison led the first official observance. Later, in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established Columbus Day as a national holiday.
Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticized Democrats for targeting statues of Columbus, a point he reiterated in his Sunday post.
Source: HISTORY / Youtube.
In 2017, he objected to then-Mayor Bill de Blasio's review of the 76-foot Columbus statue at Columbus Circle in New York City. That statue still stands today, though others have been defaced or removed.
In 2020, following protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder by police in Minneapolis, the Trump administration funded the restoration of a Columbus statue in Baltimore after it was toppled into the harbor.
Around the same time, dozens of Columbus statues nationwide were removed or vandalized during the renewed Black Lives Matter protests.
Read next: That Biden interview? It’s not just what was said—It’s what WASN’T.
How do you think we should commemorate our history? What changes would you like to see in how we honor the past? We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
This declaration comes in response to a shift in the national conversation around the holiday. Can you guess which one’s making a comeback?
The History and Evolution of Columbus Day
Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday of October, has been a federal holiday since 1934, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt made it official.
Originally intended to celebrate Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, the day has also been seen as a way to honor Italian-American heritage.
However, the legacy of Columbus has been reexamined in recent years, with critics pointing to the devastating impact of colonization on Indigenous populations.
This has led to a growing movement to replace or coincide Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, a holiday that honors the history, culture, and contributions of Native American peoples.
President Trump has stated his intention to restore the celebration of Columbus Day, criticizing Democrats for their approach towards the holiday. Image source: National Geographic / Youtube.
Trump's Stance on Columbus Day
On Sunday, President Trump made it clear that he would not continue the tradition started by his predecessor of recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day in October.
He accused Democrats of trying to tarnish the explorer’s legacy, as he pushed forward with his campaign to restore what he views as traditional American symbols.
Democratic President Joe Biden was the first to formally recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, issuing a 2021 proclamation honoring "the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples" and acknowledging "their inherent sovereignty."
Biden’s proclamation emphasized that America "was conceived on a promise of equality and opportunity for all people," but acknowledged that this promise "we have never fully lived up to. That is especially true when it comes to upholding the rights and dignity of the Indigenous people who were here long before colonization of the Americas began."
Also read: George Clooney claps back, “My job isn’t to please the president.”
On Sunday, Mr. Trump took to social media, declaring, "I'm bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes."
Posting on his Truth Social account, he added, "the Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much."
Trump further stated that he is "hereby reinstating Columbus Day under the same rules, dates, and locations, as it has had for all of the many decades before!"
During President Biden's term, the second Monday in October continued to be called Columbus Day at the federal level, but it was also recognized as Indigenous Peoples Day.
Although it remained a federal holiday, Biden did not alter how or when Columbus Day was observed. In his proclamation, he instructed that the US flag be flown on all public buildings "in honor of our diverse history and the Indigenous peoples who contribute to shaping this Nation."
There has been a shift in some states and cities from celebrating Columbus Day to recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day in order to honor the victims of colonialism. Image source: National Geographic / Youtube.
Biden’s acknowledgment fulfilled a longtime objective for activists aiming to shift the focus away from celebrating Columbus' voyages to highlighting the exploitation of Indigenous peoples by Columbus and those who followed him.
Even before Biden's official proclamation, several states and cities — including Columbus, Ohio; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Seattle; Denver; and Austin, Texas — had chosen to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day, as a way of honoring victims of colonialism.
Source: Daily Mail World / Youtube.
New York is among the locations that recognize both names for the holiday. Gov. Kathy Hochul first officially recognized Indigenous Peoples Day in 2021, while New York City continues to host the largest Columbus Day parade in the country.
Although Mr. Trump has often opposed framing American history through the lens of diversity and oppression, the holiday he is seeking to re-emphasize was itself introduced in response to the nation's growing diversity.
You might need: 2025 must-know dates: Don’t miss these key moments!
While Columbus never set foot on what is now the United States, his voyages made him a symbol for Italian Americans, who became more prominently celebrated as waves of immigrants arrived and political leaders sought their support.
The first Columbus Day celebration in the US was prompted by the 1891 lynching of 11 Italian-American immigrants in New Orleans.
The following year, President Benjamin Harrison led the first official observance. Later, in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established Columbus Day as a national holiday.
Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticized Democrats for targeting statues of Columbus, a point he reiterated in his Sunday post.
Source: HISTORY / Youtube.
In 2017, he objected to then-Mayor Bill de Blasio's review of the 76-foot Columbus statue at Columbus Circle in New York City. That statue still stands today, though others have been defaced or removed.
In 2020, following protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder by police in Minneapolis, the Trump administration funded the restoration of a Columbus statue in Baltimore after it was toppled into the harbor.
Around the same time, dozens of Columbus statues nationwide were removed or vandalized during the renewed Black Lives Matter protests.
Read next: That Biden interview? It’s not just what was said—It’s what WASN’T.
How do you think we should commemorate our history? What changes would you like to see in how we honor the past? We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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