![]() The news took time to reach each enslaved person, and it took until June 19th before Union soldiers brought the news to the slaves in Galveston, Texas – over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by Abraham Lincoln. In April 1865, the Confederate army surrendered, which in effect, ended the Civil War. Juneteenth marks the time the last enslaved African Americans in the USA found out they became free. It has been celebrated every last Monday of Mary since 1967. Originally known as Decoration Day, this day allows Americans to observe the memory of all US Armed Forces who have died whilst serving their country. ![]() This federal holiday is otherwise known as George Washington’s birthday and has been celebrated every third Monday of February since 1879. Although his birthday is the 15th of January, which this year fell on a Saturday, the Martin Luther King federal holiday took place on the next working day. On this day, every year since 1983, Americans celebrate the civil rights champion, Martin Luther King, Jr. This day is held to welcome the New Year and has been celebrated every year since 1885. So what are the federal holidays for 2023? While private companies aren’t strictly required to observe these holidays, most will be closed on these days. These are days that are recognized by the US Government with most non-essential government departments being closed to allow workers to celebrate. Odds are good that will be the case again today to celebrate the legacies of both Italian-Americans and Indigenous Peoples.There are a total of eleven federal holidays across the calendar year in the US. Last year, President Joe Biden declared proclamations for both Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day. The second Monday of October has arguably become the most divisive and controversial day of holiday observations - or non-observations - during the year. Texas in 2021 declared the second week of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Week. ![]() States such as Nebraska and Rhode Island now celebrate the second Monday of October as both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Why there became backlash against Columbus DayĪfter further research of Columbus’ life in recent decades and alleged cruel behavior toward native people, many states have backtracked on celebrating Columbus Day.Ĭalifornia and Delaware were two states that dropped the holiday entirely in 2009, and even Columbus, Ohio, renamed the holiday Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2020. 12 to the second Monday of October in 1971. Of note, Colorado in 2020 replaced Columbus Day with a new holiday on the first Monday of October honoring Frances Xavier Cabrini, an Italian immigrant and Catholic nun who helped serve immigrants with the founding of schools, hospitals and orphanages.Ĭolumbus Day was first observed as a federal holiday in 1937 before being moved from Oct. Italian immigrants started moving to the United States in bigger numbers around the 1820s.įollowing the lynchings, President Benjamin Harrison created Columbus Day as not only a way to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ journey in 1492, but also to highlight the sacrifice and positive contributions of Italian-Americans throughout the country.Ĭolorado became the first state to officially observe Columbus Day in 1906. Why Columbus Day was createdĬhristopher Columbus was an Italian who never set foot in the new world (he made it to the Bahamas), but the seeds of him having a holiday named after him were sown after the lynching of 11 Italian immigrants in New Orleans in 1891, according to NPR. So, how did it become so inconsistent as to what is celebrated across the country, if a holiday is observed at all? More than half of the states - 26 to be exact - don’t observe a holiday at all on the second Monday of October. In South Dakota, a holiday is observed, but it’s known as Native Americans’ Day. In Maine, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington, D.C., there is a holiday, but it’s known as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. However, the focal point of the remembrance that is taking place is different depending on what state you live in, according to Pew Research Center.įor 16 states and American Samoa, Columbus Day is an official holiday that’s observed. Usually the second Monday of October is a dedicated day of remembrance and a holiday for some of the country.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |