The first official Columbus Day celebration occurred in 1792 in New York, to commemorate the tricentennial of the explorer’s landing. A century later, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation “recommending to the people the observance in all their localities of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America” and describing Christopher Columbus as “the pioneer of progress and enlightenment.”

The celebration of this holiday is rooted in our country’s history and should continue. Yet, since the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s discovery, there has been a push to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. Three states voted for the change just this year.