Several states and cities do not recognize Columbus Day at all, but instead mark an alternative holiday on the calendar.
Hawaii celebrates Discoverer’s Day today, which commemorates the Polynesian discoverers of Hawaii. However, it is not a legal holiday, which means state, city, and county government offices and schools are open.
South Dakota and various tribal governments in Oklahoma celebrate Native American Day. Likewise, several communities, including Berkeley, Calif.; Santa Cruz, Calif.; Sebastopol, Calif.; and Dane County, Wis., celebrate Indigenous People’s Day instead of Columbus Day. Celebrations in these parts of the country often include pow-wows, traditional dance, and lessons about native American culture.
Several other states, including California, Florida, and Texas, have removed Columbus Day as a paid holiday for government workers, while maintaining it as a day of recognition for other purposes.
