Columbus Day, 2026

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 65075-65076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20972]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 91 , No. 196 / Tuesday, October 13, 2026 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 65075]]


                Proclamation 11073 of October 7, 2026

                
Columbus Day, 2026

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                More than five centuries ago, Christopher Columbus 
                embarked westward across uncharted waters and 
                discovered the New World--bringing with him the rich 
                traditions of Western civilization and paving the way 
                to the birth of the American Nation less than three 
                centuries later. Today, we honor his life of valor, 
                adventure, and ingenuity. We cherish his memory and 
                pledge to safeguard his story. Above all, we remember 
                with gratitude that the triumph of freedom and the 
                glory of our Republic are the fruits of his faith and 
                unrelenting devotion.

                In August of 1492, Columbus departed the shores of 
                Spain to chart a new trade route to Asia. With his crew 
                of about 90 men aboard the Ni[ntilde]a, the Pinta, and 
                the Santa Mar[iacute]a, for more than 2 grueling 
                months, he pressed onward across the vast and 
                unforgiving Atlantic Ocean--braving violent storms and 
                treacherous waters. Through every trial, Columbus never 
                wavered, holding his crew to the mission when most 
                others would have turned back.

                When Columbus and his crew made landfall on the islands 
                of the present-day Bahamas, they first believed they 
                had reached the shores of Asia. Instead, their voyage 
                redrew the map of human possibility and opened a new 
                chapter in the history of exploration. They unleashed a 
                bold new age of discovery that expanded the horizons of 
                knowledge, carried the splendors of the Western world 
                across an ocean, and set in motion the forces that 
                would culminate in the miracle of July 4, 1776. When 
                they arrived, as a sign of devotion to God and respect 
                to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, Columbus raised a 
                mighty cross in the newly discovered land as a sign 
                that ``Your Highnesses hold this land for your own, but 
                chiefly as a sign of our Lord Jesus Christ.'' Ever 
                since, this spirit of adventure has coursed through the 
                veins of generations of patriots--from the brave 
                settlers who established the first colonial foothold at 
                Jamestown to the daring pioneers who pushed westward 
                and tamed the frontier.

                Today, we reaffirm that Christopher Columbus is a 
                legend whose vision, fortitude, and perseverance 
                unleashed a dynamic of history that led to the creation 
                of the greatest, freest, and most just Nation in 
                history. We are forever indebted to his courageous 
                voyage, and we will never allow his legacy to be erased 
                by radical extremists. For this reason, earlier this 
                year, I was proud to install a statue of Christopher 
                Columbus on the White House grounds--an exact replica 
                of the statue that stood for more than three decades in 
                Baltimore, Maryland, from its dedication by President 
                Ronald Reagan in October 1984 until rioters tore it 
                down and threw it into Baltimore Harbor on July 4, 
                2020. Now placed at the White House, this magnificent 
                monument stands as a testament to the resilient legacy 
                of one of history's greatest heroes.

                Columbus Day also holds special significance for our 
                incredible Italian-American citizens. Like Columbus, 
                they have embodied a steadfast love of country and 
                faith in God, and they continue to strengthen our 
                communities and propel our country to even greater 
                heights.

[[Page 65076]]

                In 1892, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of 
                Columbus' epic voyage, Pope Leo XIII published an 
                encyclical hailing ``the greatness of his mind and 
                heart,'' which ``can be compared to but few in the 
                history of humanity.'' The Pope continued: Columbus 
                ``looked for a something greater and higher than did 
                these others.'' Today, as we celebrate the anniversary 
                of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World, we 
                honor his unrivaled greatness. We embrace our duty to 
                prove worthy of the inheritance he left us, to match 
                his courage with our own, and to never abandon, 
                forsake, or forget the beauty of our faith, the glories 
                of our culture, and the stories of our heroes.

                In commemoration of Christopher Columbus' historic 
                voyage, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 
                1934, and modified in 1968 (36 U.S.C. 107), as amended, 
                has requested the President proclaim the second Monday 
                of October of each year as ``Columbus Day.''

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim October 12, 2026, as 
                Columbus Day. I call upon the people of the United 
                States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies 
                and activities. I also direct that the flag of the 
                United States be displayed on all public buildings on 
                the appointed day in honor of the great Christopher 
                Columbus and all who have contributed to building our 
                Nation.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and fifty-
                first.
                <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2026-20972
Filed 10-9-26; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3395-F4-P


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