Even though Columbus Day is an observed federal holiday, four states do not recognize it (AK, HI, OR, and SD) due to the nature of "celebrating" a day in which a European man forcefully conquered Native people's land and committed genocide. This is not the man we as Americans should credit for "discovering" a land that was already populated with rich and diverse communities of people. The harm that Columbus (and other Europeans like him) did in devastating native populations is still felt today.
Instead of continuing this degrading tradition, we must abolish Columbus Day and recognize Indigenous People's Day, as the city of Berkeley, CA has been doing since 1992. This would honor the people who were here long before Columbus and who are still here long after, enriching our country today.