Indigenous Peoples’ Day, also known as Columbus Day, is celebrated on the second Monday in October. President Joe Biden officially recognized this day in 2021, and Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in California for the past five years. This year, it is expected that he will do so again for the sixth time.
In San Diego, where there are 17 tribal communities, celebrations are taking place to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians has been hosting a celebration at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for the past two years. Additionally, the OTSD State Historic Park in Old Town San Diego has a Native American interpretive public gathering area for events and ceremonies.
The San Diego Miramar College Student Affairs office will host an Indigenous Peoples’ Day commemoration on Monday, Oct. 14, with free lunch and a performance from the Soaring Eagles. The San Diego Unified Board of Education passed a resolution in 2019 to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, recognizing the long history of Indigenous Peoples on the lands where San Diego is situated.
While Indigenous Peoples’ Day is not recognized as a school holiday in California, some districts, like San Francisco Public Schools, do have the day off. It is advisable to check your child’s school calendar to find out if they have the day off.
On Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, most banks will be closed as it is a Federal Reserve bank holiday. However, Nasdaq and the New York Stock Exchange will still be trading. Banks like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and Capital One will be closed, while Chase Bank and TD Bank will remain open. Online banking and ATMs will still be accessible for banking transactions.
As for mail services, all USPS retail locations will be closed, with no mail delivery on Monday. UPS and FedEx locations will remain open, with FedEx having modified services for its FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy services.
Most retail stores and restaurants will be open for the holiday. Retail giants like Target, Walmart, T.J. Maxx, and CVS, as well as grocery stores like Whole Foods, Kroger, Aldi, Safeway, and Trader Joe’s, will be open. Popular restaurant chains like Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald’s, and Chili’s will also be serving customers on Monday. However, it is recommended to check with local stores for their operating hours as they may be impacted by the holiday.
Government offices, being non-essential, will be closed on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as it is a federal holiday. This includes offices like the DMV, libraries, courts, and other government-operated facilities. Across the country, some states celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, while others commemorate it through proclamations. It is a day to honor and recognize the rich cultural legacy of Indigenous Peoples and their contributions to society.
