OCTOBER 14, 2024 – Today marks the anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing on San Salvador Island on October 12th, 1492.
Columbus’s significance goes beyond merely discovering the New World; he laid the foundation for the American experiment, representing Western ideals’ pinnacle. He brought a thirst for knowledge, a commitment to progress, a reverence for the natural law, and a Judeo-Christian sense of morality to the New World. His actions paved the way for a courageous group of men to proclaim, “We believe these truths are self-evident, that all men are created equal.”
Columbus was a salty sailor, toughened by years spent at sea. While he could be harsh and driven by greed, he did not aim to destroy other cultures. Instead, he generally showed understanding towards others, something that his modern critics often overlook.
Columbus was self-made. Despite his lack of formal education, he became fluent in Latin and proficient in reading, writing, geography, astronomy, cartography, and mathematics. Columbus was dazzlingly brave, using only primitive navigation methods to traverse thousands of miles of ocean. Yet, he made it to the Caribbean and, even more impressively, returned home.
Is Columbus worthy of commemoration? Yes, undoubtedly.
The origin of Columbus Day in the US stems from a tragic event in 1891: the mass lynching of Italian immigrants in New Orleans after the murder of Police Chief David Hennessey. Despite no convictions, a mob executed 11 Italians, pushing the US and Italy to the brink of war. To ease tensions and counter anti-Italian sentiment, President Benjamin Harrison declared the first Columbus Day in 1892.
During this period, Italians faced severe discrimination and were the second most lynched ethnic group in the US. Columbus Day, along with its monuments and parades, became a symbol of Italian contributions to America, aiding their acceptance and assimilation. While the navigator’s legacy is controversial for some, his importance to the Italian American community cannot be overstated.
Despite his imperfections, Columbus was extraordinary in many respects. May the spirit of the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria sail on!