Columbus Day vs. Indigenous Peoples' Day: Google and Apple's Different Approaches to the Holiday The debate over Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day has come to a head in some parts of the United States, with some states and cities choosing to honor the Italian explorer while others opt for the more inclusive holiday. Google and Apple have different approaches to the holiday, with Google listing Columbus Day and Apple listing both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day. Americans checking their phones on Monday may get different answers about what holiday they are observing depending on whether they use Google Calendar or Apple Calendar. Apple's U.S. Calendar displays both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples' Day while Google Calendar lists Columbus Day. The difference comes amid a longstanding national debate over Christopher Columbus' legacy and whether the second Monday in October should celebrate the Italian explorer, honor Indigenous peoples, or recognize both. This debate is an example of the country's bigger disagreement over how October's federal holiday should be understood.Columbus Day Cultural SignificanceFor supporters of Columbus Day, the holiday commemorates Christopher Columbus' 1492 voyage and has particular significance within the Italian American community. Many also point to the discrimination faced by Italian immigrants as part of the holiday's history and cultural importance.However, for many Native Americans and other critics, Columbus represents European colonization and the violence, and the holiday does not convey the seriousness of the displacement and losses Indigenous communities experienced afterward. This has led a growing number of groups to instead use the occasion to recognize Native American history and culture. In fact, some five states recognize Columbus Day alongside Indigenous Peoples' Day, but in recent years, there's been tension over which holiday should be recognized first and foremost.As one HR consultant told Newsweek, 'Indigenous People's Day isn't about erasing history, but instead it's about recognizing that history didn't begin when white folk arrived.Google Calendar Policy Changes' Google has a broader policy change that helps explain how holidays and observances end up on its calendar. According to the company, several years ago, its Calendar team began manually adding a wider range of cultural events in numerous countries, including cultural celebrations and teachers' days.However, the approach proved difficult to maintain. Google has opted to primarily rely on public holidays and national observances supplied by Timeanddate.com. Apple, on the other hand, has been criticized for its diversity and equity policies, but the company appears to be taking a more inclusive approach with its calendar, recognizing both Columbus Day and Indigenous Day.