As the calendar flipped to Monday, October 13, 2025, Americans across the country found themselves navigating a patchwork of closures, celebrations, and controversy. The second Monday in October remains a federal holiday—Columbus Day—but the way it’s observed is changing fast, with a growing movement to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.
A Federal Holiday with a Divided Legacy
Columbus Day has been a U.S. federal holiday since 1937, commemorating Christopher Columbus’s 1492 arrival in the Americas and celebrating Italian-American heritage and exploration. President Donald J. Trump reaffirmed the holiday this year, issuing a formal proclamation and calling on Americans to observe the day with “appropriate ceremonies and activities”.
But the holiday’s legacy is increasingly contested. Many states and cities now mark the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, honoring Native American history and resilience in the face of colonization. According to Pew Research Center,
30 states and three U.S. territories recognize Columbus Day in some form, but only 20 states and two territories make it a paid holiday for state workers. Meanwhile, states like New Mexico, Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., have officially replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
What’s Open and What’s Closed?
The October 13 holiday brings a familiar mix of closures and modified schedules:
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Banks: Most major banks, including Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citibank, closed their branches. ATMs and online banking remained available.
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Stock Market: The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq stayed open for regular trading, but the bond market—including U.S. Treasury trading—was closed.
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Mail and Delivery: The U.S. Postal Service suspended regular mail delivery and closed post offices nationwide. Private carriers like FedEx and UPS operated with modified schedules, offering some deliveries but with reduced local office hours.
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Schools and Government Offices: Many public schools, colleges, and government offices closed for the day, though this varied by district and state. In areas observing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, schools often remained open but hosted cultural programs focused on Native American history.
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Retail and Restaurants: Most retail stores, grocery chains, and restaurants stayed open, with some local variations.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Gains Ground
The push to replace or co-celebrate Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day has gained momentum since the early 1990s. Native American advocates argue that the holiday should honor the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples, rather than Columbus, whose arrival marked the beginning of centuries of colonization and violence.
This year, events across the country included art exhibitions, storytelling, and cultural performances celebrating Native traditions and heritage. In some states, both holidays are recognized, while others have fully replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Political and Social Tensions
The debate over the October 13 holiday reflects broader national conversations about history, identity, and justice. President Trump’s proclamation condemned critics of Columbus and reaffirmed the traditional holiday, while lawmakers in Congress have reintroduced legislation to formally replace Columbus Day at the federal level—a bill that has yet to advance.
Meanwhile, the ongoing government shutdown added another wrinkle this year, with nearly all federal employees furloughed for the holiday, except those in critical roles like air traffic control.
What’s Next?
The future of the October 13 holiday remains uncertain. With more states and cities shifting toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and federal recognition still a matter of debate, Americans can expect the conversation—and the controversy—to continue.
For now, the second Monday in October is a day of reflection, rest, and reckoning with the nation’s complex past.
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