The historical origin of the date
October 12 commemorates the arrival in the Americas, in 1492, of the expedition led by Christopher Columbus. For centuries, this event was portrayed primarily from a European perspective and associated with the so-called “discovery of the Americas.”
In Uruguay, October 12 is a workday holiday and is celebrated in various settings as Cultural Diversity Day. The House of Representatives began using this name in 2014, replacing the traditional “Day of the Race,” with a broader perspective on the date and its historical interpretations.
From Columbus Day to a Look at Cultural Diversity
Día de la Raza is a historical name for October 12. In Uruguay, a 1919 law designated this date as “Fiesta de la Raza.”
The term continues to appear in some references and calendars, but it reflects a different perspective on the historical event. The name “Cultural Diversity Day” shifts the emphasis toward the plurality of cultures and the different perspectives from which the process that began in the late 15th century can be understood.
The Significance of Cultural Diversity Day
Today, Cultural Diversity Day highlights the coexistence of peoples, cultures, identities, and forms of expression.
Cultural diversity encompasses the ways in which groups and societies create, express, preserve, and transmit their cultures.
It also means recognizing the value of dialogue, respect, and coexistence among cultures.
These principles are part of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which promotes cultural exchange, respect for diversity, and the protection of such expressions. Uruguay ratified this convention through Law No. 18,068 of December 2006.
From this perspective, October 12 invites us to reflect on cultural diversity, ways of interpreting the past, and the coexistence of societies with their own histories, identities, and traditions.
Facility Operations
Universidad ORT Uruguay will continue its regular activities on October 12. The facilities will remain open, and classes and other activities will proceed as usual.