Columbus Day 2025 Federal Holiday: What’s Open, Closed, and How It’s Observed Across the U.S.
Columbus Day 2025 Federal Holiday Overview
The Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday will be observed on Monday, October 13, marking one of the United States’ most long-standing and debated national observances. While it remains a federal holiday, the way Americans choose to celebrate—or not celebrate—Columbus Day has evolved significantly over time.
In recent years, the same day has also become associated with Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2025, a growing movement to honor the history, resilience, and contributions of Native American communities. Together, these overlapping observances reflect the complex legacy of Columbus’s arrival and the broader conversation around America’s origins.
The Origins of Columbus Day: From Celebration to Federal Holiday
The first national Columbus Day celebration took place in 1892, marking the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s 1492 voyage. President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to commemorate the occasion as a symbol of progress, discovery, and national pride.
In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt officially declared Columbus Day a federal holiday, largely due to advocacy from the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization. This recognition was seen as a victory for Italian Americans, who used the day to celebrate their heritage and contributions to U.S. society.
By 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act shifted Columbus Day to the second Monday in October, aligning it with other long-weekend federal observances such as Presidents Day and Labor Day.
Since then, Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday remains a paid day off for federal employees, with government offices and most banks closing in observance.
Why Columbus Day Has Become Controversial
Over the past few decades, Columbus Day has faced mounting criticism due to the darker aspects of European colonization. Critics highlight the violence, enslavement, and exploitation of Indigenous peoples that followed Columbus’s expeditions.
Historians and Native American activists argue that the traditional narrative of Columbus as a heroic explorer ignores the suffering and cultural destruction experienced by Native communities after 1492.
Supporters of the Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday, however, view it as an acknowledgment of Italian-American heritage and the spirit of exploration that shaped modern civilization. They argue that the day represents courage, discovery, and innovation—core American values that should still be celebrated.
The Rise of Indigenous Peoples’ Day
As awareness of Indigenous history has grown, many states and cities have replaced or supplemented Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The first official change came in 1990, when South Dakota renamed the holiday Native American Day. Two years later, in 1992, Berkeley, California, became the first U.S. city to adopt Indigenous Peoples’ Day—coinciding with the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival.
Since then, the movement has gained significant momentum. By 2025, more than 200 U.S. cities and several states, including Vermont, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Alaska, have formally recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of or alongside Columbus Day.
In 2021, President Joe Biden made history as the first U.S. president to issue a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, acknowledging it as a time to honor Native communities, their heritage, and their enduring impact on American life.
While Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2025 is not a federal holiday, its simultaneous observance continues to reshape how Americans view this day.
Columbus Day 2025 Federal Holiday: Date and Observance
The Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday falls on Monday, October 13, the second Monday of October. Federal employees and most government offices will observe the day as a public holiday, but state-level observance varies widely:
- Federal Offices: Closed nationwide.
- State Governments: Some states, such as New York, Illinois, and Colorado, still observe Columbus Day as a legal holiday.
- Other States: States like Oregon, Maine, and South Dakota celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.
- Texas Example: In Texas, Columbus Day is not a paid state holiday. However, in 2017, the Austin City Council voted to rename it Indigenous Peoples’ Day, joining hundreds of U.S. cities making similar changes.
This evolving recognition shows how the Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday continues to generate discussion about history, inclusion, and cultural identity.
What It Means to Be a Federal Holiday
Being designated as a federal holiday means that all non-essential government offices, including federal courts, U.S. Postal Service branches, and social security offices, will close for the day.
However, private employers and state agencies decide independently whether to recognize the day as a paid holiday. Many businesses remain open, while schools and banks often close or operate on modified schedules.
For many Americans, the Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday simply provides a long weekend, but its cultural meaning remains deeply symbolic.
What’s Open and Closed on Columbus Day 2025
| Service or Institution | Status on Oct. 13, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Federal offices | Closed |
| State offices | Varies by state |
| Banks | Closed |
| Stock markets | Open |
| Bond markets | Closed |
| USPS | Closed |
| UPS | Open |
| FedEx | Open (modified services possible) |
| Schools | Varies by district |
| Retail stores and restaurants | Mostly open |
Are Banks and Postal Services Open on Columbus Day 2025?
Most banks and financial institutions will close on the Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday, although ATMs, mobile apps, and online banking will remain available.
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will close all offices, and regular mail delivery will pause for the day. However, Priority Mail Express—which operates 365 days a year—will continue uninterrupted.
Private shipping companies like UPS and FedEx will remain open, though FedEx may adjust certain delivery times.
Stock Market and School Schedules
Unlike many other federal holidays, the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq will remain open on Columbus Day. The U.S. bond market, however, will be closed, following the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) schedule.
Whether schools close depends on local districts. Many public schools across the nation will close for either Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day. For example, the Austin Independent School District in Texas gives both students and teachers the day off in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Political and Presidential Perspectives
Columbus Day continues to serve as a flashpoint in America’s broader cultural debate.
In a recent proclamation, former President Donald Trump praised Columbus as “the original American hero” and condemned efforts to remove Columbus statues or rename the day as an attempt to “erase our history and attack our heritage.”
Meanwhile, President Biden’s recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day represents a broader shift toward inclusivity—acknowledging the harm caused by colonization while celebrating the strength and resilience of Native peoples.
Together, the two perspectives encapsulate the evolving meaning of the Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday in modern America.
Columbus Day 2025: Reflection, Recognition, and Reconciliation
The Columbus Day 2025 federal holiday is more than just a day off—it’s a moment for reflection. For some, it honors discovery, courage, and exploration. For others, it’s a time to remember the pain and perseverance of Indigenous peoples whose lives were forever changed after 1492.
As Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2025 gains traction, more Americans are choosing to broaden their perspective—using this day to honor both history and humanity.
Whether you recognize Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or both, October 13, 2025, stands as an opportunity for the nation to learn from its past and continue striving toward understanding, equality, and unity.
