The History of Columbus Day

In Portuguese he is called Cristovio Colombo, in Spanish he is called Cristobal Colon, in Italian he is known as  Cristoforo Colombo, and in America he is Christopher Columbus. Since 1971, on the second Monday in October, Columbus Day has been celebrated in the United States as a national holiday.

Here in Detroit, Columbus Day was celebrated from about 1896; the first official celebration recognized by local  and state authorities was in 1909. Two organizations first organized the celebration: La Tribuna Italiana D’America  (better known today as The Italian Tribune), the first issue was in May 1909, and the Knights of Columbus-Council No. 305. The original Editor of La Tribuna Italiana D’America, Vincenzo Giulano, initiated Columbus Day as a civic celebration in Detroit. On October 16, 1909, the Italian Tribune announced a drive to build a monument to Christopher Columbus in  Detroit and made the first donation of the one hundred dollars toward the project. It was announced at this time  that a new Italian Church would be constructed in Detroit. The Reverend Giovanni Bosco announced that the new  church would be known as “Holy Family Church.”

The monument to Christopher Columbus was created by Italian sculptor Augusto Rivalta and dedicated to the City  of Detroit on Oct. 12, 1910. The bust and its base originally sat at the end of Washington Boulevard at Grand  Circus Park, but after restoration it was moved to the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street. On the day  of unveiling, Oct. 12, 1910, a time capsule was placed in the pedestal, but was not found when it was moved in  November 1987. The bust was rededicated in 1988. An inscription reads, “Christopher Columbus, a great son of  Italy. Born 1435–Died 1506. Discovered America October 12, 1492. This monument is dedicated to his honor by  the Italians of Detroit, October 12, 1910.”

Since then, the Italian-American Community of Metropolitan Detroit has continued the Columbus Day Celebration  with a calendar of events including the Columbus Day Queen Contest, Parade, Church Mass, Placing of the  Wreath and a Gala Banquet where special guests and award recipients are honored. Some of the entertainment  guests over the years have included, Enzo Stuarti, Soupy Sales, Buddy Greco, Anna Maria Alberghetti and Annette  Funicello to name just a few. At present, the annual Columbus Day Parade is moved from community to  community assure recognition of the Italian-American contribution, not only in Detroit, but also in all of its  surrounding suburbs.

Columbus Day commemorates the role of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in opening the Americas to  European discovery more than 500 years ago. It’s a day of celebration not only for the Italian- Americans but all  people who take pride in the their personal heritage.

What is being celebrated, really, is the spirit of exploration and discovery of man’s needs to expand the boundaries of his world, whether it is on an ocean voyage, a trip to the moon or a tourist “discovering” the riches and delights  of an Hawaiian Island. The spirit of discovery is always worth celebrating, and the use of Christopher Columbus  as a symbol of that spirit is a tribute to the explorer.