Monday holidays, like today’s double feature of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, can be confusing.
When you layer in the observance’s controversy, it gets even muddier.
Does the federal government recognize Columbus Day, or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, or both?
Read on to find the answers to these questions, some historical facts, and clarification about what exactly remains open and closed today: Monday, October 12, 2026.
A brief history of Columbus Day
Since 1971, Columbus Day has been observed on the second Monday in October. This year, Columbus Day falls on October 12, 2026, which is today.
The day celebrates Christopher Columbus, who is historically credited with “discovering” America, even though indigenous people already inhabited the region.
In 1492, he sailed the ocean blue thanks to funding by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, with the directive to find a route to Asia.
Instead, the expedition aboard the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria landed in the Bahamas, then Hispaniola. His mistake helped Spain establish the first American colony in the Caribbean.
Columbus wasn’t exactly the most benevolent leader. As governor of Hispaniola, he enslaved the Taino and Arawak people. As a result, they faced horrific working conditions on mines and plantations.
Columbus forced his Catholic faith on native people using brutal methods. His discovery also kicked off a race of exploration among European nations. These settlers brought new diseases to the Americas, which decimated native populations.
Centuries later, in 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to celebrate Columbus Day.
This one-time observance marked the 400th anniversary. President Franklin D. Roosevelt also supported Columbus Day’s observance in 1937, further cementing a 1934 resolution to make it annual. In 1968, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act made it a federal holiday.
Columbus Day has had opponents as early as the 1800s. Anti-immigrant groups did not appreciate how the observance was tied to Catholicism.
More recently, Native American groups have pointed out Columbus’s role in the unethical treatment of their ancestors, and protested his celebration.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day has been presented as a Columbus Day alternative since 1991.
This observance is meant to celebrate the legacy and contributions of Native Americans. Despite President Joe Biden’s proclamation in 2021, it is not a federal holiday, although many states, such as California, formally recognize it.
President Trump walked away from Biden’s dual recognition of both Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day and instead solely focused on the latter.
Is mail delivered on Columbus Day?
No. Mail is not delivered on Columbus Day because it is a federal holiday.
Is the Post Office open on Columbus Day?
No. Physical post office locations will be closed. The U.S. Postal Service does not operate on federal holidays.
Are banks open on Columbus Day?
To avoid wasting time, it is best to check in with your banking institution of choice before heading over.
The Federal Reserve will be closed, which typically means most national banks follow suit, but some may choose to remain open.
Chase Bank, for example, says its branches are open on Columbus Day, though Monday is treated as a bank holiday for online transactions. Bank of America, meanwhile, will be closed.
Is the stock market open on Columbus Day?
Yes. Both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will be open for buying and selling.
Are schools open on Columbus Day?
Public schools are run by local and state governments, which means they are not required to automatically take federal holidays off.
Private schools have even more freedom in their calendaring. It is best to check in with your students’ institution to know how it handles the holiday.
Are pharmacies open on Columbus Day?
Yes. Just in time for flu season, you are free to stock up on medication on Columbus Day. That includes major chains such as CVS and Walgreens, which should be open normal hours, though it’s always best to check with your local pharmacy.
Are stores and groceries open on Columbus Day?
Yes. Both retail stores and grocery stores would love your business. This includes big box retailers like Walmart and Target, and grocery chains like Kroger and Whole Foods.
Costco warehouses will also be open on the Monday holiday.
Perhaps because of the observance’s controversy, there are not a ton of specific Columbus Day sales, but there are general fall ones to take advantage of.
Are restaurants open on Columbus Day?
Yes. If you don’t feel like cooking or need a sweet treat, restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops have you covered.
