Minneapolis Council Votes To Rename Columbus Day
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's been debated for years, but now the city of Minneapolis has decided to change from celebrating Columbus Day to observing Indigenous People's Day instead.
Columbus Day has been a federal holiday since 1937, though not all states observe it, including Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and South Dakota.
The day has long been a hot button issue over whether it is offensive to the American Indian culture to credit Christopher Columbus with the discovery of America.
On Friday, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to approve the proposal to rename the day Indigenous People's Day, an alternative day that has been around for a few decades now.
The designation would be observed on all city communications. It goes into effect this year.
"This has been a long time coming and people are going to feel really good about how we're moving forward and advancing a racial equity agenda that really elevates the voice and contributions of American Indian people," said council member Alondra Cano, the author of the resolution.
