Abolish Columbus Day

Zinn Education Project - Teaching People's History

Celebrating Columbus means celebrating colonialism, celebrating racism, celebrating genocide . It's time that instead we paid tribute to the people who were here first, who are still here, and who are leading the struggle for a sustainable planet.

With two more states (Maine and New Mexico) and many more cities (including Columbus, Ohio, and Alexandria, Virginia) abolishing Columbus Day and recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day, now is the time to add your school or city to the list.

JOIN THE ZINN EDUCATION PROJECT

in abolishing Columbus Day and recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day in our classrooms, our schools, our communities, and our country.

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Digital and Printable Materials

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View and download all images.

FACEBOOK PROFILE:

Download and switch in.

POSTER:

Download and print.

WEB BANNER: Download graphic and post.

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Download Packet

To encourage schools to petition their administration and for communities to introduce legislation to scrap Columbus Day in favor of Indigenous Peoples Day, we have compiled this 14-page packet that contains articles, sample resolutions, a resource list, and a poster.

Download and share with your colleagues and community.

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Related Lessons and Resources

Visit our resources page for more recommendations.

LESSONS

Discovering Columbus:

Re-reading the Past

How to engage students in a critical analysis of the textbook version of "discovery."

The People vs. Columbus, et al.

In a trial role play, students determine who is responsible for the death of millions of Taínos on the island of Hispaniola. Roles available in Spanish.

ARTICLES

Italian Americans Who

Fought for Justice

Brief bios of people of Italian heritage who were committed to social justice.

Native American Activism:

1960s to Present

Brief overview of Native American activism since the late 1960s.

Whose History Matters_ Article about curriculum by Bill Bigelow at the ZInn Education Project website

Whose History Matters? Students Can Name Columbus, But Most Have Never Heard of the Taíno People

Early in my high school U.S. history classes, I would ask students about "that guy some people say discovered America." All my students knew that the correct answer was Christopher Columbus.

We usually think about the curriculum as what is taught in school. But as important (or perhaps more important) is what is not taught, which includes the Taíno lives rendered invisible by the curriculum.

This article is also available at Newsela, adapted for additional reading levels corresponding with grades 3, 5, 7, and 9.

BOOKS AND FILMS

Columbus in America explores the history of what transpired in 1492 and after, and how "Columbus" has been used throughout U.S. history to legitimate the marginalization of Indigenous peoples. However, the film is ultimately hopeful, as it focuses on how the victims of Columbus and those who came after have themselves targeted "Columbus in America" to assert their humanity, their history, and their rights. Learn more.