2017+Columbus+Day

=Columbus Day or Indigenous People's Day?=

The 2nd Monday in October has been designated as Columbus Day since 1937. It is a Federal Holiday during which federal and many state government offices along with local government offices and businesses are closed.

The Holiday honors Christopher Columbus for his "discovery of the Americas" in 1492, and the settling of the "New World" that followed. However, what launched a great opportunity for voluntary immigrants to the America's was a disaster for those Native peoples who already lived here as well as the millions of African Slaves that were brought as unwilling immigrants to all parts of the Americas. The Great Exchange that resulted most greatly favored the Old World.

In recent years, a number of communities and even states have started recognizing the 2nd Monday in October as Indigenous People's Day to recognize instead the Native Americans who met Columbus and the colonists who followed over the next 3 centuries.


 * Which should it be? Can it be both? What could be a better name? How should it be celebrated or observed? Should this day simply cease to be a National Holiday regardless of the name?**

__Here are 2 mostly objective background resources to consider. Many other editorials may be found on line arguing for one or the other. The debate is controversial and heated. Google the two days and see what turns up. Beware of "Fake News".__

Columbus Day- Wikipedia Indigenous Peoples' Day- Wikipedia

//This will be the last Extra Credit discussion of first quarter.//