Today, President Joe Biden proclaimed Monday as Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The president said that Columbus Day “remains a source of pride for many Italian Americans whose families also crossed the Atlantic.” He added, “His voyage inspired many others to follow and ultimately contributed to the founding of America, which has been a beacon for immigrants across the world.” To honor the legacy, the nation celebrates the holiday in “commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s historic voyage 530 years ago.”
Simultaneously, the president recognized the difficult history of colonization, “For centuries, indigenous peoples were forcibly removed from ancestral lands, displaced, assimilated, and banned from worshiping or performing many sacred ceremonies.” He added, “On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor the sovereignty, resilience, and immense contributions that Native Americans have made to the world; and we recommit to upholding our solemn trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations, strengthening our Nation-to-Nation ties.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president to seek God’s will as he seeks to honor the legacies of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
- For the president as he prepares for the week ahead.
- For wisdom for the president and administration officials as they continue to work to meet the needs of the nation.
