The first Columbus Day celebration took place in 1792, when New York’s Columbian Order—better known as Tammany Hall—held an event to commemorate the historic landing’s 300th anniversary. Taking pride in Columbus’ birthplace and faith, Italian and Catholic communities in various parts of the country began organizing annual religious ceremonies and parades in his honor.
In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation honoring the 400th anniversary of the initial landing. In 1905, Colorado was the first state to make it an official holiday. In 1937, Congress designated October 12 as the holiday and in 1971 declared that the holiday be celebrated the second Monday in October. Illinois created the Columbus Day holiday in 1963.
Many people continue to honor the day in recognition not only of Christopher Columbus’ landing on the shores of the New World, laying the groundwork for the formation of the United States of America, but also as a celebration of Italian-American cultural heritage.
According to the U.S. Census, there are more than 18 million people of Italian ancestry in the United States, making them the fourth-largest ancestry group.
In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation honoring the 400th anniversary of the initial landing. In 1905, Colorado was the first state to make it an official holiday. In 1937, Congress designated October 12 as the holiday and in 1971 declared that the holiday be celebrated the second Monday in October. Illinois created the Columbus Day holiday in 1963.
Many people continue to honor the day in recognition not only of Christopher Columbus’ landing on the shores of the New World, laying the groundwork for the formation of the United States of America, but also as a celebration of Italian-American cultural heritage.
According to the U.S. Census, there are more than 18 million people of Italian ancestry in the United States, making them the fourth-largest ancestry group.