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President Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day, a practice initiated by his predecessor. Trump criticized Democrats for what he perceives as a denigration of Christopher Columbus’ legacy, asserting his intent to revive traditional American symbols during his campaign efforts.
Democrat Joe Biden marked a historic shift as the first president to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples Day, issuing a proclamation in 2021. This statement celebrated the ‘invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples’ while acknowledging their inherent sovereignty.
In his proclamation, Biden emphasized that America was built on ideals of equality and opportunity, though he admitted that these promises have not been fully realized, particularly for Indigenous populations who have faced historical injustices since the onset of colonization.
In a post on social media, Trump proclaimed, “I’m bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes,” claiming that Democrats have undermined both Columbus and the Italian American community that venerates him.
The official federal holiday, observed on the second Monday of October, retains the designation of Columbus Day during Biden’s presidency, but advocacy groups have long sought to shift the focus to Indigenous Peoples Day. This change reflects a broader desire to also address the historical impact of Columbus’ expeditions on Indigenous populations.
Trump’s effort to reinforce Columbus Day highlights his resistance to narratives that include diverse perspectives on American history, particularly those that emphasize oppression and marginalization. Initially recognized in the United States to honor Italian immigrants, Columbus’ legacy has become a contentious topic as societal attitudes evolve towards acknowledging past injustices.
Significantly, Columbus never set foot on the North American continent, yet his legacy became prominent in the U.S. partly due to the migrations of Italian immigrants and the political efforts to secure their support.
The first Columbus Day celebration was catalyzed by a tragic event—the lynching of 11 Italian-American immigrants in New Orleans in 1891—prompting President Benjamin Harrison to lead the inaugural observance the following year. Later, in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a national holiday.
Trump has also voiced concerns about the removal of Columbus statues, reiterating these grievances in his recent posts. He had previously defended the statue in New York’s Columbus Circle amidst calls for its removal during Mayor Bill de Blasio’s tenure. While the statue remains, others have been damaged or dismantled across the country.
In response to civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd, the Trump administration funded the restoration of a Columbus statue in Baltimore that had been thrown into the harbor.
Source
abcnews.go.com