reciprocated.īut eventually, in an attempt to appease Italy and acknowledge the contributions of Italian Americans on the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival, President Benjamin Harrison in 1892 proclaimed a nationwide celebration of “Discovery Day,” recognizing Columbus as “the pioneer of progress and enlightenment.” Eventually, the nations mended their relationship and the U.S. refused, prompting Italy to recall its ambassador and cut off diplomatic relations. and Italy, which called for reparations for the murders. The brutal killings created tit-for-tat tensions between the U.S. Columbus Day becomes a nationwide holiday It remains one of the largest mass lynchings in the nation’s history. None of the rioters who lynched the Italian Americans were prosecuted. When nine were tried and acquitted in March 1891, a furious mob rioted and broke into the city prison, where they beat, shot, and hanged at least 11 Italian American prisoners. In the aftermath, more than a hundred Sicilian Americans were arrested. In 1890 anti-Italian sentiment boiled over in New Orleans after police chief David Hennessy, reputed for his arrests of Italian Americans, was murdered. Maligned as sinister and criminal, Italian immigrants were the focus of increasing bigotry. But the new arrivals were not welcomed by all. in search of opportunity and a better life. Beginning in the 1880s, Italian immigrants began pouring into the U.S. For these people, Columbus represented their indelible contribution to a society that viewed both Catholics and Italian Americans with suspicion.Ĭelebrations of Columbus gained momentum as Italian immigration grew from a trickle to a flood. But before the late 19th century, the celebrations were mainly limited to Catholic and Italian American enclaves on the East Coast, where many embraced Columbus as an intrepid explorer who embodied progress and bravery. It was the beginning of a new era in the history of the Western Hemisphere-an event commemorated in the U.S. The Italian navigator’s three ships, sailing at the behest of the Spanish crown, would soon land, likely on an island known to its Lucayan residents as Guanahaní. On October 12, 1492, after a voyage of 10 weeks, Christopher Columbus’ crew spotted the New World. Lithograph via Bridgeman Images Early Columbus Day celebrations Indigenous people faced the threat of being kidnapped, enslaved, and raped at hands of the colonizers. Right: This illustration depicts Indigenous people jumping into the water out of fear after hearing a cannon shot fired by Europeans.
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