Origin of Columbus Day: This is why Americans really started celebrating the holiday

The sudden population shift angered some Americans who feared change and harbored bias. In contrast to previous waves of immigration from Northern and Western Europe, the customs, languages, and religions of Southern and Eastern Europeans were viewed as too foreign by many white, Protestant Americans. Some believed these new immigrants would not fit in with the nation. Discrimination led to intolerance in many communities, particularly towards Italian immigrants from Sicily and southern Italy. They were vilified in American media, newspaper articles and cartoons and were often described as “dark-skinned”, unintelligent and criminal.

A tragic event caught the attention of both the American and Italian governments. On October 16, 1890, New Orleans Police Chief David Hennessey was assassinated. As he lay dying, he reportedly described his attackers as an insult to Italians. In response, scores of Italian immigrants were arrested and 19 men, including one as young as 14, were charged with the crime. However, they were acquitted in court.

Enraged by the lack of a guilty verdict and emboldened by the local newspaper, a mob stormed the prison on March 14, 1891 to avenge Hennessey's death. They brutally murdered eleven of the Italian men in a lynching. In response to the tragedy, Italy severed diplomatic relations with the United States, and American leaders sought to push back on the negative portrayals of Italian immigrants that sparked the violence.

Creating an “Italian” hero

A year later, the United States launched a very public, national celebration called “Explorer’s Day” to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ landing. Newspapers published his stories in full pages across the country, churches and synagogues held services, and public school students participated in patriotic marches. There were American symbols at the demonstrations – flags, Uncle Sam and red, white and blue pennants.

Political leaders reinforced the image of Columbus as a role model. As US Congressman Benjamin Franklin Meyers said The Patriot News: “If Christopher Columbus had been an American by birth and born in this manner, his career could not have more uniquely exemplified the character of a self-made man who rose to greatness and honor…his whole life is a lesson to be studied.” Benefit from the youth of our country.” For the first time, Columbus was recognized as an immigrant and a Catholic, and possibly an American.