People
When was Columbus Day officially changed to Indigenous Peoples Day?
Indigenous Peoples Day was instituted in Berkeley, California, in 1992, to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492.
When did discussions about replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day begin?
In 1977, the UN-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations began discussing replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
In what year did Christopher Columbus begin the white settlement of the Americas?
1492
Christopher Columbus began the white settlement of the Americas in 1492, with his first voyage across the Atlantic and landing in the Caribbean.
Which group of people believed the land was sacred and viewed it as an extension of themselves?
Native Americans
Which U.S. cities have adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day in place of Columbus Day?
Who were the Indigenous people living on the island of Hispaniola before European colonization?
The Taino people
The Taino were an Arawakan-speaking people who inhabited Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands during Columbus’s exploration. Once the largest indigenous group in the Caribbean, they may have numbered one to two million at the time of the Spanish conquest in the late 15th century, and were long under threat from the Carib people to the east.
What did sports teams begin doing in the early 20th century while Indigenous people were being greatly mistreated?
In the early 20th century, while Indigenous people were being greatly mistreated, sports teams began adopting Native American names, imagery, and mascots, often in a disrespectful or stereotypical manner.
In what century did sports teams begin adopting Native American team names and mascots?
In the 20th century
Which group of people viewed the land in terms of its monetary value or its potential to glorify their Christian God?
European Settlers
European settlers, particularly during the era of colonization, viewed the land in terms of its monetary value and how it could be used to glorify their Christian God. They often sought to exploit the land for resources and convert Indigenous peoples to Christianity.
Which group of people is fighting to keep Columbus Day and resist changing its name due to its significance to their ethnic culture?
Italian Americans
Italian-American groups have been fighting to keep Columbus Day, as they view it as a celebration of their heritage and contributions to American history. For many, Columbus symbolizes Italian pride and the recognition of Italian immigrants in the U.S., which is why they resist efforts to rename the holiday.
Who was the Native American woman notable for her association with the Jamestown settlement, famously depicted in a Disney movie?
Pocahontas
Pocahontas, born around 1595, was the daughter of Chief Powhatan, leader of a powerful tribal nation in Virginia's Tidewater region. While little is known about her personal thoughts or feelings, her story has been passed down through historical accounts and Mattaponi oral history. Though many know her name, few know much about her life. Pocahontas became a key figure in early American colonial history through her involvement with Captain John Smith and John Rolfe during the founding of Jamestown, leaving a lasting legacy for over 400 years.
Which sports teams use Native American mascots?
The Washington Redskins (now Washington Commanders, NFL), The Cleveland Indians (now Cleveland Guardians, MLB), The Atlanta Braves (MLB), The Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), The Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)
Many teams have faced criticism and pressure to change these mascots due to concerns about cultural appropriation and disrespect. Some, like the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians, have already made changes.
How many Tainos were killed as a result of Columbus's arrival in the Americas?
Possibly as many as three million Tainos. 85% of the Taíno population had vanished by the early 1500s, according to a controversial extrapolation from Spanish records. As the Native population faded, so did Taíno as a living language.
What religion was forced upon the Tainos and other Indigenous peoples in the Americas?
Christianity, specifically Roman Catholicism, was the religion forced upon the Tainos and other Indigenous peoples in the Americas by European colonizers, particularly the Spanish. This was often part of efforts to convert Indigenous populations during colonization.
What did Columbus mistakenly call the Indigenous people he encountered, thinking he had reached Asia?
Indians.
Columbus initially presumed the people he encountered on the island to be "Indians," as he believed he had reached the East Indies in Asia. This is why he mistakenly referred to the Indigenous peoples of the Americas as Indians.
Which president issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to celebrate the day with patriotic events?
Benjamin Harrison
In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage with patriotic festivities, writing, “On that day let the people, so far as possible, cease from toil and devote themselves to such exercises as may best express honor to the discoverer and their appreciation of the great achievements of the four completed centuries of American life.
Where was the first official celebration honoring the 300th anniversary of Columbus's landing in the Americas held?
New York City
The first official celebration honoring the 300th anniversary of Columbus's landing in the Americas was held in New York City in 1792.
In what year did Columbus Day become an official federal holiday?
1937
Columbus Day became an official federal holiday in the United States in 1937.
What did Columbus's crew steal during their expeditions?
Columbus's crew stole valuable resources such as gold, food, and other goods from the Indigenous peoples they encountered.
When was the idea of Indigenous Peoples' Day first conceived?
1977
The idea of Indigenous Peoples' Day was first conceived in 1977 during a United Nations-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, held in Geneva, Switzerland. This conference discussed replacing Columbus Day with a celebration to honor Indigenous peoples.
What are the names of two famous Native American tribes?
Iroquois,Cherokee, Apache, Souix, Cheyenne, Navajo, Lakota, Suak.
What is the legal designation of land given to Native American tribes under the US Bureau of Indian Affairs?
Indian reservations
The legal designation of land given to Native American tribes under the US Bureau of Indian Affairs is known as "Indian Reservations." These are areas of land managed by a Native American tribe under the oversight of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
How many Tainos did Columbus ship back to Spain as slaves?
Approximately 500 Tainos.
Christopher Columbus shipped approximately 500 Tainos back to Spain as slaves after his second voyage to the Americas in 1495. Many of them did not survive the journey.
Besides celebrating Columbus' voyage, what other reasons were there for celebrating Columbus Day?
Besides celebrating Columbus' voyage, Columbus Day was also celebrated as a way to honor Italian-American heritage and contributions.
The holiday became a symbol of pride for Italian immigrants who faced discrimination in the United States, as Columbus, an Italian explorer, was seen as a figure of cultural significance for the Italian-American community.
When Native Americans granted U.S. citizenship, and when were they fully allowed to vote in local elections?
1924
All Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship in 1924. Before this, only members of federally recognized tribes and naturalized individuals had citizenship rights. While Native Americans could vote in national elections from 1924, some states, like New Mexico, didn’t allow them to vote in local elections until 1962.