President Joe Biden recently decided to give a nod to history by recognizing October 14 as Columbus Day, honoring the famed 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus. Many may be wondering why this proclamation took so long, considering that Columbus sailed into history on October 12, 1492. As most of America is busy worrying about inflation or whether the latest TikTok dance challenge is worth their time, the president chose to focus on Columbus, reminding everyone that this day isn’t just about pizza and pasta.
In his proclamation, Biden relied on the wisdom of Congress and a joint resolution dating back to 1934, with a 1968 amendment that apparently took longer to sort out than the timeline of a Marvel movie. It seems that for Biden, invoking Columbus Day was a long-overdue attempt to connect with Italian Americans, who he lauded for leaving their homelands in pursuit of the American Dream. One has to chuckle at the irony that a president who often promotes open borders suddenly thinks it’s worth celebrating legal immigration for a change. What’s next, a national day for the folks who followed the rules?
Happy Columbus Day!
Today marks the anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing on San Salvador Island on October 12th, 1492. However, 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… pic.twitter.com/sXbLu0dqdB
— Hardcore Italians (@HardcoreItalian) October 14, 2024
As he waxed poetic about Italian Americans and their contributions to building the nation, one could almost hear the collective chuckle of those who fondly remember Columbus as a symbol of exploration and determination. For many Italian Americans, Columbus represents a legacy of pride and resilience in the face of adversity. Whether they arrived centuries ago or last week, they have woven their identities into the very fabric of America, where food, family, and, of course, heartfelt tales about their ancestors have become treasured relics—like Grandma’s secret sauce recipe.
In what can only be seen as an exercise in historical clarification, Biden couldn’t resist sprinkling in a mention of the “xenophobic attack” that gave rise to Columbus Day as a holiday. It was a nod to a dark chapter in history—the lynching of 11 Italian Americans in 1891—that supposedly inspired President Benjamin Harrison to take action in 1892. It’s good to see Biden invoking historical memory, but it raises the question of why there’s a double standard about who gets recognized when it comes to historical injustices. Other groups often get commemorated in grand fashion while Italian Americans seem to get a nod amidst discussions on discrimination.
In his proclamation, Biden celebrated not just Columbus but also the spirit of determination that Italian Americans exhibited as they faced their fair share of hate and adversity. They managed to thrive despite the challenges of starting anew in a country that’s frequently portrayed as intolerant—one has to admit it’s comically rich coming from a party that often dismisses American pride in favor of identity politics. If there’s anything to take away, it’s that whether it’s exploratory voyages across oceans or modern migration, the journey still matters. Columbus day might trigger debates on colonialism versus discovery, but at least it gives people a reason to gather around the table for a good meal and a conversation about freedom and the American spirit.