West Virginia still recognizes Columbus Day. Which states don’t?

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginia recognizes the second Monday in October as Columbus Day, but not every state does.

Columbus Day is a federal holiday, so government offices are closed, but it is not recognized at the state level nationwide. Some states instead choose to recognize the day as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and others do a combination where they recognize both on the same day.

Columbus Day is meant to honor Christopher Columbus, who President Donald Trump called “the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization.”

A 2025 proclamation from President Trump says: “This Columbus Day, we honor his life with reverence and gratitude, and we pledge to reclaim his extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, perseverance, and virtue from the left-wing arsonists who have sought to destroy his name and dishonor his memory.”

A total of 20 states, including West Virginia, recognize Columbus Day as a paid holiday.

“Columbus Day is an opportunity for West Virginians to celebrate the enduring spirit of exploration, determination, and progress that helped shape the foundation of our great nation,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a release.

A number of states have chosen to recognize the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day alongside or instead of Columbus Day as a way to honor Native Americans and celebrate their contributions and resilience. Former President Joe Biden was the first president to federally recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day with proclamations in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Although President Trump chose not to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2025, the following states have officially made it a state holiday instead of Columbus Day:

• Maine
• New Mexico
• South Dakota
• Vermont

Other states have renamed the holiday as something totally different, including Alabama which recognizes American Indian Heritage Day, and others are recognizing Oct. 13 only as a cultural holiday rather than a paid holiday.