Columbus Day Or Indigenous Peoples Day: What Alexandria Observes

Columbus Day, the second Monday of October, is recognized as a federal holiday honoring Italian Americans. But a growing number of states and cities are marking the day as Indigenous Peoples Day, a day that recognizes Native Americans instead.

The City of Alexandria formally recognized Indigenous People's Day in 2019 and 2020. This year, Gov. Ralph Northam issued a proclamation to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Oct. 12 for the first time in Virginia history. Virginia has 11 state-recognized Indian tribes, seven of which are federally recognized.

"Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the resilience of our tribal communities and promotes reconciliation, healing, and continued friendship with Virginia’s Indian tribes. In making this proclamation, we pay tribute to the culture, history, and many contributions of Virginia Indians and recommit to cultivating strong government-to-government partnerships that are grounded in mutual trust and respect," said the governor in a statement.

The holiday in 2020 comes as the decades-long debate and controversy over Native American sports team names continues. Earlier this year, the NFL team in Washington, D.C., dropped their Redskins nickname and are now simply called the Washington Football Team. The Cleveland Indians are also considering changing their name for the first time since 1915, according to reports.

Columbus Day celebrations date back to the 18th century in some places, according to the History Channel, but did not become a federal holiday for celebration on the second Monday of October until 1971. The day continues to be listed by the federal government as Columbus Day.

While many things have not been normal because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the observed holiday will provide a break from work or school. The City of Alexandria observes Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Oct. 12 and will close its local government offices.

Schedules may vary for different services, particularly since the pandemic has prompted operating changes. Here are the various closings and schedule changes to know for the holiday.

City of Alexandria government offices: Closed on Oct. 12.

Alexandria City Public Schools: Oct. 12, is a professional development day for all Alexandria City Public Schools staff. Students are not expected to log in.

Voting: The Office of Voter Registration and Elections (132 North Royal Street) will be open on Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for in-person absentee voting and voter registration. Visit alexandriava.gov/Elections for details. The secure drop box for completed absentee ballots outside the Office of Voter Registration and Elections is open 24/7.

State offices: The following Commonwealth of Virginia offices in Alexandria will be closed on Oct. 12: the Circuit Court, Clerk of Circuit Court, General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, and Court Service Unit, located in the Alexandria Courthouse (520 King Street); and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office (2681 Mill Road).

Animal shelter: The Vola Lawson Animal Shelter will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 12 by appointment only, offering both virtual and in-shelter animal visiting opportunities. To make an appointment, visit AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt-By-Appointment. For an animal emergency or wildlife concern, call 703-746-4444.

DASH BUS: On Monday, Oct. 12, DASH bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule. The free King Street Trolley remains suspended until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit dashbus.com.

Health facilities: The Alexandria Health Department (4480 King Street), the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard Street) and the Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams High School (3330 King Street) will be closed on Oct. 12.

Historic Alexandria: On Oct. 12, the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, Gadsby's Tavern Museum and Alexandria’s History Museum at The Lyceum will be closed. All other city museums remain closed to the public until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline at 703-746-5800; the domestic violence hotline at 703-746-4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline at 703-746-3401; the adult protective services hotline at 703-746-5778; and the sexual assault hotline at 703-683-7273.

Impound lot: The city’s Impound Facility (5249 Eisenhower Avenue) will be closed on Oct. 12.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches will be closed on October 12, including the Alexandria Law Library (520 King Street). Visit alexlibraryva.org for details.

Metrorail: Metrorail operates from on a Saturday schedule from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 12.

Metrobus: Metrobus runs on a Saturday schedule on Oct. 12. See bus schedules here.

Parking: On Oct. 12, the Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions at metered spaces, residential permit parking districts and other areas with posted parking time limits. This suspension of enforcement applies only to the restrictions at legal parking spaces and does not permit parking in any location normally prohibited (for example, no-parking zones, loading zones, or spaces for persons with disabilities). Temporary no-parking signs will be enforced on Oct. 12.

Post offices: U.S. Postal Service offices are closed on Monday, Oct. 12.

Recreation and arts centers: On Oct. 12, Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility and Charles Houston and Patrick Henry Recreation Centers will be open 9 a.m-3 p.m. The Torpedo Factory Art Center and all other recreation and nature centers will be closed on Oct. 12.

Trash and recycling: Residential refuse and recycling will not be collected on Oct. 12. Collection services will slide by one day during the week of Oct. 12, and yard waste will not be collected on Friday, Oct. 16. The Household Hazardous Waste & Electronics Recycling Center (3224 Colvin St.) will be closed on Oct. 12. Visit the Resource Recovery web page for information.

Virginia Railway Express: VRE does not provide service on Columbus Day. For more information, visit www.vre.org.