Columbus Day will hereafter exclusively be referred to as Columbus Day, according to Trump's declaration.
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President Donald Trump expressed his plans on Sunday to reinstate Columbus Day, expressing dissatisfaction with his predecessor's practice of recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day alongside it. Instead, Trump claimed he would bring Columbus Day back from the shadows, asserting that Democrats have been disrespectful towards Christopher Columbus.
Democrat Joe Biden was the first president to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day, issuing a proclamation in 2021 that applauded the "invaluable contributions and resilience" of indigenous people and recognized their inherent sovereignty. His proclamation acknowledged America's failure to live up to its promise of equality for all and a long history of neglecting indigenous peoples' rights and dignity.
On Columbus Day, Trump declared, "I'm bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes." He argued that Democrats have been working tirelessly to maligned Columbus's reputation and disparage Italians who adore him. Initially established as a federal holiday in 1937, Columbus Day commemorates Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage to the Americas. Though Trump's proposed celebrations ignores the exploitations faced by indigenous people during Columbus's time, this holiday has significant sentimental value for Italian-American communities.
Following the lynching of 11 Italian-American immigrants in New Orleans in 1891, the first Columbus Day celebration in the United States was led by President Benjamin Harrison. President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated Columbus Day as a national holiday in 1934, honoring the accomplishments and heritage of Italian-Americans. Trump has often argued against the removal of Columbus statues, citing the destruction of statues in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. In 2020, Trump's administration even paid to restore a Columbus statue in Baltimore, which was dumped during protests.
Trump's emphasis on Columbus Day can be seen as part of a broader strategy to resist progressive changes to national symbols. His stance has been met with criticism from indigenous groups and allies who feel Trump is callous towards their history and rights. Meanwhile, traditionalist groups support Trump's position, viewing it as a defense of American heritage and history. Trump's actions reflect the ongoing debate over historical memory and identity in America, as evident in debates over Confederate monuments and military base names.
The media is abuzz with discussions about President Donald Trump's stance on reinstating Columbus Day, a move perceived as an effort to counter progressive changes in symbolism. This policy-and-legislation decision, coupled with his resistance against the removal of Columbus statues, has sparked general-news debates on war-and-conflicts, such as those regarding indigenous rights and identity. Politics, crime-and-justice, and lifestyle sections of various media outlets are also covering the ongoing drama surrounding Columbus Day celebrations, offering insights into the complex interplay of tradition and justice.
