About Columbus Day in the United States
Columbus Day is the official federal holiday observed on the second Monday in October. Its history is connected with commemorations of Christopher Columbus's 1492 voyage, while present-day treatment of the date differs among states, cities and institutions.
How the federal holiday developed
The Library of Congress records an American Columbus commemoration in 1792 and a presidential observance for the four-hundredth anniversary in 1892. Columbus Day later entered the federal calendar and has been observed on the second Monday of October since 1971.
The federal legal name remains Columbus Day. That name describes the nationwide federal calendar and does not require every state, school system or private organization to use the same name or close on the date.
When Columbus Day is observed
The second-Monday rule means the date changes each year while always creating a Monday federal holiday. Unlike fixed-date holidays, it does not generate a separate Friday or Monday substitute entry.
OPM publishes the date for federal employees each year. State and local calendars can differ, so a federal listing should not be read as a complete description of local observance.
Planning around the day
Federal offices generally follow the federal holiday schedule. Schools, courts, local government offices, banks and businesses may follow different calendars depending on the jurisdiction and organization.
For appointments or travel, check the specific institution rather than assuming a nationwide closure. The calendar on this page is intended to answer the federal date question while preserving that practical distinction.
Common questions about Columbus Day
When is Columbus Day?
Federal law places Columbus Day on the second Monday in October.
Does every U.S. state observe Columbus Day in the same way?
No. The federal holiday applies to the federal calendar; state, local and institutional observance can differ.