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The Buffalo Bills posted a social media post on Monday to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead of Columbus Day, and the decision sparked some opposition among fans.
Activists consider Indigenous Peoples’ Day to be a counter-celebration against Columbus Day. It was created to highlight the suffering of native North American tribes under European colonization.
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Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) pressures New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Columbus Day celebrates the arrival of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus to America in 1492.
Buffalo, New York, celebrates both days. The bills only sent out a post about Indigenous Peoples’ Day and noted that it was Thanksgiving in Canada.
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation last week honoring Columbus.
“Today we have the Columbus Day proclamation for Monday, which we will sign a little early,” White House staff secretary Will Scharf told Trump on Thursday before the monthly Cabinet meeting.
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Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (88) is hit by New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (14) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
“Columbus, obviously, discovered the New World in 1492. He was a great Italian explorer. He sailed his three ships, the Nina, the Pinto and the Santa Maria, across the Atlantic Ocean and landed in what is now the Caribbean. And this is a particularly important holiday for Italian Americans who celebrate the legacy of Christopher Columbus and the innovation and exploratory zeal that he represented,” he continued.
There was applause in the room as Trump added, “In other words, we’re going to call it Columbus Day.”
Trump followed up in his remarks Thursday by saying, “We’re back, Italians,” as the applause continued.
“That was the press that burst into applause,” Trump joked of the warm reception to the proclamation. “I’ve never seen that happen. The press erupted in applause. Good. Columbus Day. We’re back. Columbus Day. We’re back, Italians. We love Italians.”
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (1) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, New York. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Columbus Day has been recognized as a federal holiday since 1971. In recent years, activists have tried to get government officials to disassociate themselves from Columbus. They say it celebrates colonialism and the genocide of indigenous peoples, in favor of celebrating Native Americans. Activists have also worked to remove Columbus statues from cities, including toppling such statues during the 2020 riots.
