Argentina President Javier Milei restores ‘Día de la Raza’ name

President Javier Milei has officially signed a decree to change the name of the October 12 holiday. The date, previously known as ‘Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural’ (Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity), will revert to its former name, ‘Día de la Raza’ (Day of the Race).

The current designation was established in 2010 under the administration of Cristina Kirchner via Decree 1584/10. That change aimed to move away from the concept of ‘race’ and instead promote intercultural dialogue and the recognition of indigenous peoples. The new administration seeks to frame the date as a commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas.

While the name change represents a significant symbolic shift in how the state presents the date, it does not alter the holiday status or the scheduled rest day. The change has faced criticism from academic and social sectors who view it as a setback for human rights and indigenous recognition.