Argentina debates official name for October 12 holiday

Argentina is facing a political and legal controversy regarding the official name of the October 12 holiday. The administration of President Javier Milei has moved to restore the term ‘Día de la Raza’ (Day of the Race) in institutional communications, framing the date as a celebration of the arrival of Christopher Columbus and the expansion of Western civilization.

This decision conflicts with National Law 27.399, passed in 2017, which established the date as ‘Día del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural’ (Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity). That name was originally implemented via a 2010 decree by former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to shift the focus from colonial conquest toward the recognition of indigenous peoples and human rights.

Indigenous organizations have expressed strong opposition to the change, calling for protests to defend the existing law and the recognition of ancestral identities. Within the government, there are also subtle ideological differences in terminology; while the Casa Rosada uses ‘Día de la Raza’, Vice President Victoria Villarruel has referred to the date as ‘Día de la Hispanidad’ (Hispanic Day), emphasizing Spanish heritage and Catholic traditions.