Columbus Day / Indigenous People’s Day

Columbus Day is basically history’s way of saying, “Let’s revisit that time someone set sail, got a bit turned around, and accidentally ended up rewriting the map.” Celebrated in parts of the United States, it marks Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage across the Atlantic—an expedition that was less “straight line to destiny” and more “GPS definitely not included.”

Today, the holiday tends to be a mix of traditions, reflection, and debate, depending on where you are and who you ask. Some people use it as a day to honor exploration and discovery, while others focus on the broader historical impact and the voices that deserve recognition alongside it.

Either way, it’s become one of those calendar days that reminds us history is rarely simple—and often a lot messier (and more interesting) than the textbook version.