On October 12, Respect for Cultural Diversity Day, also known as Race Day, is celebrated. This day commemorates the discovery of America by the navigator Christopher Columbus in 1492, It marked the beginning of the exchange of cultures between the indigenous people and the Spanish conquistadors.
It has many names, but the goal is the same: to commemorate the “first meeting between two worlds.” It is known as Race Day, Indigenous Resistance Day, Hispanic Heritage Day, Cultural Diversity Day and in Spain specifically as Hispanic Heritage Day.
Why is this day controversial?
The celebration of this day has been a cause for controversy and differing views about the European powers’ invasion of America, the subjugation of pre-Columbian peoples, and the impact on Native American cultures.
Other positions consider this day to be a historical event that allowed for the establishment of contacts between the inhabitants of the European continent and the American continent, which promoted the fusion of cultures and the birth of the Spanish-American civilization.
These different situations have led to the name of this day, which was initially and widely known as Columbus Day, being modified in some countries to other names referring to cultural exchange, Hispanism, and indigenous resistance. In fact, this day is not considered a holiday in some countries such as Panama and Peru.
On the other hand, some discoveries and research indicate that Columbus was not the first European to reach America, as records of the arrival of the Vikings were found 500 years before the voyage of Christopher Columbus, as well as evidence of the arrival of the Portuguese in 1424. .
Since when is Columbus Day celebrated?
The celebration of this day dates back to the beginning of the twentieth century, unofficially. In 1913, the president of the Ibero-American Federation, Faustino Rodríguez San Pedro, chose October 12 as Raza Day to unify the celebration of the day in Spain and Ibero-America. Starting in 1915, it was called Columbus Day.
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How is Columbus Day celebrated around the world?
This day is commemorated in several countries in Latin America, Spain and the United States, under different names:
in Argentina:
In 1917, the President of the Argentine Republic declared that day a national holiday as Columbus Day. At the end of 1920, Monsignor Zacaría de Vizcarra proposed renaming it Spanish Heritage Day.
It is currently known as Respect for Cultural Diversity Day.
In the Bahamas:
This holiday is called Discovery Day.
In Belize:
It is known as Pan American Day.
In Bolivia:
It is currently known as Decolonization Day (according to a decree dated 12/10/2011).
In Chile:
The name of this day was changed to the Day of the Meeting of the Worlds pursuant to Law No. 19668 of 2000.
It is celebrated on the Monday closest to October 12 (if this date falls between Tuesday and Friday)
In Colombia:
It is known as Race and Latinos Day, according to Law No. 35 of 1939.
It is celebrated the following Monday.
In Costa Rica:
This day is not a holiday. In 2019, the October 12 holiday was canceled and replaced by Army Abolition Day, which is observed on December 1.
In Spain:
Initially it was celebrated as the Fiesta de la Raza until 1958.
Today is known as the National Day of Spain.
In the United States:
It is known as Columbus Day.
In some states, consideration has been given to changing the name to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, taking into account the origin of many of their residents.
In Uruguay:
Cultural Diversity Day is celebrated.
In Venezuela:
It has been known as Indigenous Resistance Day since 2002, at the request of Indigenous organizations.
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Aside from the controversy and disagreements that have arisen around this issue, celebrating this day should be an element of contemplation, respect and celebration of the people’s cultural identity and history. In your country, how is this day celebrated? #RaceDay.
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