Christopher Columbus Day is celebrated to commemorate the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492, specifically his arrival at an island in the Bahamas, which marked a significant event in Western history as it initiated lasting European exploration and colonization of the American continents. The holiday is observed in the United States on the second Monday in October and also serves as a celebration of Italian- American heritage and pride, recognizing Columbus's Italian origins and the historical impact of his voyages. While Columbus was not the first European to reach the Americas, his expeditions led to enduring contact between Europe and the indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere, launching the Age of Exploration and vast transformations worldwide.
At the same time, Columbus Day is controversial due to the negative consequences of European colonization on indigenous populations, including exploitation and suffering. This has led to the emergence of Indigenous Peoples' Day in many places as an alternative or complementary observance to honor Native American histories and cultures impacted by colonization.