Columbus Day commemorates
the landing of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. Since 1971, the United States recognizes this federal holiday the second Monday in October.
Although his
explorations were financed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Columbus
was a native of Genoa, Italy, and over
the years Italian Americans took up the cause of honoring his achievement.
The 300th anniversary of
his landing was celebrated in New York City in
1792 by the Society of St. Tammany, or Columbian Order, and in 1892, the 400th
anniversary, by presidential proclamation nationwide.
During the latter half
of the 19th century, the day began to be celebrated in cities with large
numbers of Italian Americans, and in 1937, became a national holiday by
presidential proclamation. The day came to be marked by parades, often
including floats depicting Columbus's ships --- the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria --- and by public ceremonies and
festivities.
By the 500th anniversary in
1992, the holiday was an occasion for discussing the European conquest of
American Indians, and some people objected to celebrating the event and
proposed a name change to Indigenous Peoples Day in some cities and states.
No comments:
Post a Comment