# Indigenous Peoples' Day Act

This bill changes the name of a federal holiday from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day. Instead of celebrating Christopher Columbus on the second Monday in October, the federal government would officially recognize and honor Native American and Alaska Native peoples on that same day.

Right now, Columbus Day is a federal holiday, which means federal offices, banks, and many businesses close for the day. The change would keep the holiday structure exactly the same—the same day off, the same timing—but shift who and what Americans are officially recognizing. Federal employees would still get the day off, and it would remain a paid holiday for government workers. The main difference is symbolic: the nation would be using this day to acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous peoples' history, culture, and contributions rather than Columbus's arrival in the Americas.

For most everyday Americans, this wouldn't change much about how they experience the holiday. Some states and private businesses might adjust their own holiday observances to match the federal change, while others might keep their own local traditions. The real impact is what the holiday represents—moving away from celebrating Columbus toward honoring Native Americans, whose histories and perspectives have often been overlooked in American education and public recognition.

Indigenous Peoples' Day Act

Heinrich, Martin

Indigenous Peoples' Day Act This bill designates Indigenous Peoples' Day as a legal public holiday in lieu of Columbus Day.