Columbus Day, 2025
This Presidential Proclamation designates Monday, October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day, explicitly honoring Christopher Columbus as a foundational American hero whose legacy of faith, courage, and perseverance must be defended against those seeking to erase his memory.
The document praises Columbus's 1492 voyage for bringing Western civilization and Christian faith to the Americas, acknowledges the contributions of Italian-Americans, and directs that the U.S. flag be displayed on public buildings to commemorate this historic occasion.
Arguments For
Reasserting historical appreciation for Christopher Columbus, framing him as an "original American hero" and a symbol of exploration, faith, and perseverance.
Emphasizing the importance of preserving national heritage and countering what the proclamation describes as a "vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history" by "left-wing radicals."
Recognizing the significant cultural and societal contributions of Italian-Americans who share a heritage linked to Columbus's era and spirit of exploration.
Fulfilling a statutory requirement by issuing the proclamation as requested by Congress (36 U.S.C. 107), ensuring the observance of the second Monday in October as Columbus Day.
Arguments Against
Critiques often focus on the historical legacy of Columbus, arguing that celebrating him omits or minimizes the detrimental impact his exploration and subsequent colonization had on Indigenous populations.
The proclamation's strong partisan language, accusing "left-wing arsonists" and "radicals" of seeking to "destroy his name," may be viewed as contributing to cultural division rather than national unity.
Focusing praise on Columbus may overshadow the broader and more diverse history of early settlement and development of the Americas, prioritizing a specific narrative rooted in Western European achievement.
The action reinforces a specific reading of history that some scholars and communities find incomplete or inaccurate regarding the complex realities following 1492.
Presidential Actions
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Today our Nation honors the legendary Christopher Columbus — the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization, and one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the earth. This Columbus Day, we honor his life with reverence and gratitude, and we pledge to reclaim his extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, perseverance, and virtue from the left-wing arsonists who have sought to destroy his name and dishonor his memory.
p>Born in Genoa, Italy in 1451, Columbus quickly emerged as a titan of the Age of Exploration. On August 3, 1492, following years of intense study, preparation, and petitioning, Christopher Columbus secured funding from the Spanish Crown to set out on a daring expedition that most believed to be impossible. Commissioned by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, Columbus and his crew boarded three small ships — the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria — to set sail on a perilous voyage across the Atlantic. He was guided by a noble mission: to discover a new trade route to Asia, bring glory to Spain, and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to distant lands.
Just over 2 months later, on October 12, 1492, Columbus made landfall in the modern-day Bahamas. Upon his arrival, he planted a majestic cross in a mighty act of devotion, dedicating the land to God and setting in motion America’s proud birthright of faith. Though he initially believed he had arrived in Asia, his discovery opened the vast frontier and untold splendors of the New World to Europe. He later ventured onward to Cuba and other islands in the Caribbean — exploring their coasts and engaging with their people.
Guided by steadfast prayer and unwavering fortitude and resolve, Columbus’s journey carried thousands of years of wisdom, philosophy, reason, and culture across the Atlantic into the Americas — paving the way for the ultimate triumph of Western civilization less than three centuries later on July 4, 1776.
Outrageously, in recent years, Christopher Columbus has been a prime target of a vicious and merciless campaign to erase our history, slander our heroes, and attack our heritage. Before our very eyes, left-wing radicals toppled his statues, vandalized his monuments, tarnished his character, and sought to exile him from our public spaces. Under my leadership, those days are finally over — and our Nation will now abide by a simple truth: Christopher Columbus was a true American hero, and every citizen is eternally indebted to his relentless determination.
p>As we celebrate his legacy, we also acknowledge the contributions of the countless Italian-Americans who, like him, have endlessly contributed to our culture and our way of life. To this day, the United States and Italy share a special bond rooted in the timeless values of faith, family, and freedom. My Administration looks forward to strengthening our long and storied friendship in the years to come.
This Columbus Day, more than 500 years since Columbus arrived in the New World, we follow his example, we echo his resolve, and we offer our gratitude for his life of valor and grit. Above all, we commit to restoring a Nation that once again dares to tame the unknown, honors our rich cultural inheritance, and offers rightful praise to our Creator above.
In commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s historic voyage, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934, and modified in 1968 (36 U.S.C. 107), as amended, has requested the President proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as “Columbus Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of the great Christopher Columbus and all who have contributed to building our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
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This page begins with a formal declaration: "BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" followed by the document type, "A PROCLAMATION." The text then expresses profound reverence for Christopher Columbus, labeling him the "original American hero" and a "titan of the Age of Exploration." It pledges to protect his legacy from perceived attacks by "left-wing arsonists."
The proclamation narrates Columbus's 1492 voyage, noting he secured funding from the Spanish Crown to find a new trade route to Asia and spread Christianity.
His arrival in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492, involved planting a cross and dedicating the land to God.
The document argues that his journey brought crucial Western wisdom and culture to the Americas, leading ultimately to the founding of the United States in 1776.
The text strongly condemns recent efforts to remove Columbus's statues and tarnish his reputation, asserting that under the current administration, such actions have ceased.
It also recognizes the historical contributions of Italian-Americans, emphasizing shared values between the U.S. and Italy.
The final operative paragraphs cite the Congressional mandate (36 U.S.C. 107) requesting the President proclaim the second Monday of October as Columbus Day.
President Donald J. Trump hereby proclaims October 13, 2025, as Columbus Day, calling for appropriate public observance and directing the display of the U.S. flag on all public buildings.