Indigenous People's Day

Newsworthy News -  Dozens of colleges are using government-backed grants to host Indigenous Peoples’ Day events on October 12, the same date as Columbus Day, a holiday presidents have called an answer to one of the worst acts of anti-Italian violence in American history.

Columbus Day began in 1892 after the lynching of 11 Italian Americans in New Orleans. White House proclamations under multiple presidents link the holiday to Italian American heritage and past discrimination.

Schools like Boston University and Brown University have renamed or replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

College supporters say the switch honors Native American history rather than targeting Italian Americans. Surveys show most college students back the change, even as some Italian American groups push back.