The name change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day in many places occurred to protest the historical conquest of North America by Europeans and to call attention to the losses suffered by Native American peoples through diseases, warfare, massacres, and forced assimilation. Indigenous Peoples Day emerged as a response to recognize Native American history and culture rather than celebrate Christopher Columbus, whose arrival initiated colonization and oppression of Indigenous populations. The movement to rename or replace Columbus Day began with the city of Berkeley, California, in 1992 and has since spread to other cities and states, with many opting to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead or alongside Columbus Day.
The controversy around Columbus Day stems from the view that Columbus' arrival led to genocide, land theft, and forced conversion of Indigenous people. As awareness of this history grew, many states and cities sought to shift the focus from Columbus to honoring Indigenous peoples' contributions and experiences. President Joe Biden was the first president to formally acknowledge Indigenous Peoples Day concurrently with Columbus Day in 2021, while President Donald Trump later issued proclamations affirming Columbus Day and rejecting the name change as an attempt to erase history.
In summary, the name change reflects a broader effort to acknowledge the historical trauma of Indigenous peoples and to celebrate their heritage rather than honoring a figure associated with colonization and its harmful consequences. This has resulted in a growing number of places adopting Indigenous Peoples Day in place of or alongside Columbus Day.