In 2021, President Joe Biden’s proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day alongside Columbus Day sparked a fierce culture clash, intensified by President Donald Trump’s 2020, 2025 defense of Columbus’s legacy. Columbus Day, a federal holiday since 1937, celebrates Christopher Columbus’s 1492 arrival, yet his role in colonization fuels controversy. Meanwhile, Trump’s traditionalist stance clashes with Biden’s push for inclusivity, highlighting America’s divided identity. Consequently, this culture clash, amplified by over several cities and States, adopting Indigenous Peoples’ Day, underscores tensions between honoring heritage and addressing historical accountability. Thus, the debate, rooted in how history is commemorated, challenges national values, with Native American voices demanding recognition.

Biden’s Inclusive Move

Biden’s 2021 proclamation marked the first White House acknowledgment of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, honoring Native American contributions while maintaining Columbus Day. However, traditionalists viewed it as diminishing Columbus’s legacy, sparking backlash. Nevertheless, Biden’s move aligned with progressive calls for accountability, as Columbus’s actions caused Indigenous suffering. Furthermore, the proclamation, symbolic since only Congress can alter holidays, deepened the culture clash. Public reactions split along ideological lines, with some praising inclusivity and others decrying erasure of tradition. Therefore, Biden’s gesture, also symbolic, highlighted America’s struggle to reconcile its past.

Trump’s Traditionalist Defense

In 2020 and 2025 Trump fiercely defended Columbus Day, calling Columbus a symbol of exploration and Italian-American pride. “We will never allow our heroes to be slandered,” he declared, rejecting Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Consequently, his rhetoric resonated with supporters but alienated advocates for Native recognition. Moreover, Trump framed the culture clash as a battle against “woke” culture, which he argued erases history. Yet, Columbus Day’s federal status remains unchanged, making his stance symbolic. Thus, the debate intensified, exposing America’s challenge in balancing heritage with truth.

Crystal Echo Hawk

Culture Clash: Native American Voices

Native American leaders, like Crystal Echo Hawk of IllumiNative, argue Columbus Day glorifies a colonizer who enslaved and killed Indigenous people. “It’s time to center our resilience,” Echo Hawk told NPR in 2021, advocating for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Similarly, the National Congress of American Indians supports replacing Columbus Day to honor Native sovereignty. However, Italian-American groups defend the holiday as cultural pride. Nevertheless, several cities and states have adopted Indigenous Peoples’ Day, reflecting grassroots momentum. Therefore, Native voices amplify the culture clash, demanding historical reckoning.

Culture Clash: Historical Roots

Columbus Day, established in 1792 and formalized in 1937, initially countered anti-Italian sentiment. However, Columbus’s legacy—marked by colonization and enslavement—prompted alternatives like Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Nevertheless, changing federal holidays requires Congressional approval, limiting both leaders’ power. Furthermore, a 2021 Pew poll found 54% of Americans support Indigenous Peoples’ Day, not necessarily on Columbus Day, signaling shifting views. Meanwhile, the culture clash reflects a broader reckoning with colonial legacies, challenging how nations commemorate history while respecting diverse heritages. Thus, the debate underscores evolving national identity.

Summary and Reflection

The culture clash over Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day reveals America’s struggle to balance tradition with accountability. Biden’s inclusive recognition, Trump’s traditionalist defense, and Native American calls for justice highlight deep divides. Meanwhile, local shifts toward Indigenous Peoples’ Day signal change, yet the debate persists. How can nations honor all heritages while confronting historical truths equitably?

Follow Cara Mello @mellodysmiles