More cities are recognizing Native Americans on Columbus Day this year as they revive a movement to change the name of the holiday to celebrate the history and contributions of indigenous cultures around the country.

Columbus Day could become a thing of the past if Native American activists get their way. Many people across the country are calling for the abolishment of Columbus Day and the creation of Indigenous Peoples Day to celebrate the resilience and resistance of natives.

As the U.S. observes Columbus Day on Monday, it will also be Indigenous Peoples Day in at least nine cities for the first time this year, including Albuquerque; Portland, Oregon; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Olympia, Washington.

History has taught us that Christopher Columbus explored, colonized and even discovered the Americas. However, more people every year are drawing attention to Columbus' interaction with the natives and the slave trade he helped create between America and Europe.

Accusations of rape, murder and genocide have been growing against Columbus, as well.

The Order of Sons in Italy of Washington, D.C., posted a document that said we should still celebrate Columbus Day for several reasons:

"Columbus Day recognizes the achievements of a great Renaissance explorer who founded the first permanent European settlement in the New World," the document states. "The arrival of Columbus in 1492 marks the beginning of recorded history in America. ... Columbus Day is the only day on which the nation recognizes the heritage of an estimated 26 million Italian-Americans."

Native Americans are the nation's smallest demographic, making up about 2 percent of the U.S. population. In recent decades, a significant number of tribal members have moved from reservations to urban areas, where a large majority live today. The shift makes the cities' resolutions and proclamations more meaningful, Estes said.

Congress set aside the second Monday of October as a federal holiday honoring Columbus in 1934. Over the years, Native Americans have slowly begun winning more recognition around the day.

South Dakota renamed Columbus Day to Native American Day in 1990, and it has been an official state holiday ever since. Berkeley, California, has observed Indigenous Peoples Day since 1992.

Parades and festivals that developed around Columbus Day have faced protests that are known for being confrontational, especially in Denver. Anna Vann, a longtime member of the Sons of Italy's Denver Lodge, recalls protests during the 1992 parade, which marked the 500th anniversary of Columbus' voyage, as the most unnerving and pivotal.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.