Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Overlap Creates Patchwork of Closures

Monday, October 14, marks a day of competing observances across the United States, with Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day coinciding and creating a complex landscape of closures and commemorations.

In Pasadena, City Hall and all City services are open and operating normally.

But Federal offices and United States Postal Service locations will be closed in observance of Columbus Day, a longstanding federal holiday recognized by the United States Office of Personnel Management. Federal workers will receive a paid day off.

While regular mail delivery will halt, Priority Mail Express will still be available for an additional fee.

Many states and localities, including California, have shifted to recognizing the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, despite Columbus Day remaining the official federal holiday name.

However, DMV offices are currently open and providing services to customers.

In Los Angeles County, government offices will be shuttered for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, aligning with a growing movement to honor Native American history and culture.

California state offices, including those in Los Angeles County, will also be closed on October 14, in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This closure applies to state offices, not just County offices.

Banks present a mixed picture, with most major institutions like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank closing their doors. Chase Bank and TD Bank reportedly plan to remain open, though customers are advised to check with local branches as hours may vary. Regardless of physical branch closures, online banking and ATM services will remain available for all banks.

Shipping giants United Parcel Service and Federal Express will continue normal operations, providing a contrast to the postal service closure. United Parcel Service will maintain all services, including ground, air, and freight, with United Parcel Service Store locations remaining open. Federal Express will operate most services normally, though Federal Express Express and Ground Economy may follow modified schedules.

The dual observance reflects an ongoing national debate about how to reckon with the legacy of Christopher Columbus and the impact of European exploration on Native American populations. Approximately 29 states and Washington, D.C. do not celebrate Columbus Day, with about 216 cities having renamed it or replaced it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

President Joe Biden made history in 2021 by becoming the first United States president to officially proclaim Indigenous Peoples’ Day. However, Columbus Day remains on the federal calendar.

The roots of Indigenous Peoples’ Day in California trace back to Berkeley, which became the first United States city to adopt the observance in 1992, responding to initiatives commemorating the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. Building on this legacy, Governor Gavin Newsom issued California’s first state proclamation commemorating Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 14, 2019.

California also observes a separate California Native American Day on the fourth Friday of September, most recently marked on September 27, 2024.