So why is Columbus one of only two individuals with his own national holiday in America? (Martin Luther King, Jr., of course, is the other). Why are cities, streets, and schools named after him, and why do memorials to him appear in every state in the country? Over the centuries, Italian Americans, Catholic and Protestant religious groups, American Indians, Hispanic Americans, government bodies, and more have seen Christopher Columbus as a symbol of unity and of opposition and of power. The umbrella of Columbus Day hosts this variety of political, religious, and ethnic groups who have mobilized to create celebrations and traditions that reinforce and legitimize their own perspectives and experiences.

Here are lessons, books, and films for teaching the truth about Columbus and Indigenous Peoples’ history.

Take a look at Indigenous art, history, and culture as told through the historians, artists, students, and scientists in this featured resource collection.

Unlearning Columbus Day Myths: Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day addresses problems with continuing to celebrate Columbus and points educators to the value of honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day. Culturally sensitive activities and resources related to Columbus and Indigenous Peoples' Day are provided.

Columbus Day is around the corner, and while many schools and municipalities have changed the name to “Indigenous Peoples' Day,” many children will go to school next Monday and learn In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. And this story — this one-sided story — will set them up to have a mainstream understanding of history, a history told from the perspective of the colonists, a history that celebrates Columbus, a history that erases the indigenous people who lived here.