Video above: Columbus statue covered in Pittsburgh park Columbus Day has been a political lightning rod for states, cities and municipalities around the U.S. for years. Some have decided to do something about it.Virginia is the latest state to officially observe Indigenous Peoples' Day instead, a holiday to recognize the native populations that were displaced and decimated after Christopher Columbus and other European explorers reached the continent.Technically, Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means it is recognized by the U.S. government and thus brings the closure of nonessential government offices, and, usually, places such as post offices and banks.But state and local governments can choose not to observe a federal holiday. And, as is the case with a growing number of places, change the name and intent of the October holiday altogether.Not listed here are more than 130 cities that have ditched Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples' Day — and the list grows yearly.Related video: Activists call for Columbus Day to become Indigenous Peoples' Day during Boston marchStates that officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples' DayAlaska: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day as of 2017. Gov. Bill Walker signed observances of the holiday in 2015 and 2016 before making the switch official in 2017.Hawaii: Observes Discoverers' Day in place of Columbus DayMaine: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day as of 2019New Mexico: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day as of 2019Oregon: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day as of 2017South Dakota: Observes Native American Day as of 1990Vermont: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day as of 2019States (and D.C.) that observe Indigenous Peoples Day via proclamationsIowa: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds made a proclamation in 2018 designating Columbus Day as Indigenous Peoples' Day.Louisiana: The Pelican State doesn't recognize Columbus Day. Gov. John Bel Edwards declared Oct. 14, 2019, the state's first Indigenous Peoples' Day but hasn't issued a 2020 proclamation yet.Michigan: On Oct. 14, 2019, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared the day to be Indigenous Peoples' Day "to uplift our country's indigenous roots, history, and contributions."Minnesota: In 2019, Gov. Tim Walz signed a proclamation declaring the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples' Day. The state is home to 11 Tribal Nations.North Carolina: Gov. Roy Cooper has made yearly proclamations designating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day.Virginia: In 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam declared Monday the first Indigenous Peoples' Day in Virginia, calling it an "important step in creating an inclusive, honest Commonwealth." The state is home to 11 native tribes.Wisconsin: Gov. Tony Evers established Indigenous Peoples' Day via an executive order days before the observance in 2019.Washington, D.C.: The D.C. Council voted to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day a few days before the 2019 observance.States that celebrate both holidaysAlabama: The state celebrates both Columbus Day and American Indian Heritage Day.Oklahoma: In 2019, the state voted to move Native American Day to the same day as Columbus Day so the two could be celebrated concurrently.
Video above: Columbus statue covered in Pittsburgh park
Columbus Day has been a political lightning rod for states, cities and municipalities around the U.S. for years. Some have decided to do something about it.
is the latest state to officially observe Indigenous Peoples' Day instead, a holiday to recognize the native populations that were displaced and decimated after Christopher Columbus and other European explorers reached the continent.
Technically, Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means it is recognized by the U.S. government and thus brings the closure of nonessential government offices, and, usually, places such as post offices and banks.
But state and local governments can choose not to observe a federal holiday. And, as is the case with a growing number of places, change the name and intent of the October holiday altogether.
Not listed here are more than that have ditched Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples' Day — and the list grows yearly.
Related video: Activists call for Columbus Day to become Indigenous Peoples' Day during Boston march
States that officially celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day
Alaska: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day . Gov. Bill Walker signed observances of the holiday in 2015 and 2016 before making the switch official in 2017.
Hawaii: Observes in place of Columbus Day
Maine: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day
New Mexico: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day
Oregon: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day
South Dakota: Observes Native American Day
Vermont: Observes Indigenous Peoples' Day
States (and D.C.) that observe Indigenous Peoples Day via proclamations
Iowa: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds made a proclamation in 2018.
Louisiana: The Pelican State doesn't recognize Columbus Day. Gov. John Bel Edwards declared Oct. 14, 2019, the state's first but hasn't issued a 2020 proclamation yet.
Michigan: On Oct. 14, 2019, "to uplift our country's indigenous roots, history, and contributions."
Minnesota: In 2019, Gov. Tim Walz signed a declaring the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples' Day. The state is home to 11 Tribal Nations.
North Carolina: designating the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Virginia: In 2020, Gov. Ralph Northam Monday the first Indigenous Peoples' Day in Virginia, calling it an "important step in creating an inclusive, honest Commonwealth." The state is home to 11 native tribes.
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Wisconsin: Gov. Tony Evers days before the observance in 2019.
Washington, D.C.: The D.C. Council a few days before the 2019 observance.
States that celebrate both holidays
Alabama: The state celebrates both Columbus Day and .
Oklahoma: In 2019, the to the same day as Columbus Day so the two could be celebrated concurrently.