Is Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, a state holiday in Mississippi?

Last year, the Biden administration issued a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day for the third consecutive year. The commemoration of Native American history and culture is now recognized federally along with Columbus Day, which is traditionally celebrated on the same day.

Columbus Day has been a national holiday since 1937, but in recent years some have advocated for the day to be refocused on indigenous people rather than explorers who brought violence and slavery with them on their journey to the Americas.

When is Columbus Day 2024?

In 2024, Indigenous Peoples Day and Columbus Day fall on Monday, October 14th. The holidays take place annually on the second Monday in October.

Post offices and many public schools are closed. Some banks will also close. You can view the full list of closures here.

What is Indigenous Peoples Day?

The celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day originated in 1977 at a United Nations-sponsored international conference on discrimination. It is a day to honor Native Americans and commemorate their history and culture. South Dakota became the first state to recognize the day in 1989, and the California cities of Berkeley and Santa Cruz followed.

In 1990, the United Nations-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination against Indigenous Peoples in the Americas began discussing replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. California and Tennessee observe Native American Day in September, which does not conflict with Columbus Day.

Scott Stevens, director of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Program at Syracuse University, said Indigenous Peoples Day is as much about resilience to what past cultures have endured as it is about honoring heritage.

“It's a recognition of our survival and, in many cases, our resilience and even our thriving,” Stevens told USA TODAY. “There are still many social and economic issues facing indigenous communities. There is also the idea that American Indians and Native Americans are all one people. But we have diversity and our cultures are very different. One thing we all have in common is that our ancestors suffered under American colonialism, so this is an opportunity where we can reach out to one another in unity.”

Is Columbus Day a holiday in Mississippi?

Columbus Day is not recognized as a state holiday in Mississippi. Approximately 29 states and Washington, DC do not celebrate Columbus Day. According to renamecolumbusday.org, about 216 cities have renamed it or replaced it with Indigenous Peoples Day. Some states recognize Indigenous Peoples Day by proclamation, while others consider it an official holiday.

When is Columbus Day 2024?

What is Indigenous Peoples Day?

Is Columbus Day a holiday in Mississippi?

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