Columbus Day 2024
COLUMBUS DAY 2024
Columbus Day is a national holiday in many countries of America, Spain, and Italy and a Federal holiday in the United States. Columbus Day was founded by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892 in response to the horrific, xenophobic attack that took the lives of 11 Italian American the year before. We recognize Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the Americas. In the face of hate, Italian Americans persisted in advancing the nation and challenging the American people to live up to American highest values.
When I came to America, I saw how beautiful it was, and still is. I believe in the compassion and kindness of Americans surrounding me. Like the American-Italian migrants, I learned and weaved through the intricacies of joining a new culture. I discovered a new freedom to choose. I created a family, joined the United States Army, retired from the military and transitioned into civilian force. During that time I also shared my traditions, stories of my culture, and family recipes with my colleagues. Perhaps what I have in common with the Italian-American families are the fact that we migrated into this country leaving the people who are dear and close to our hearts behind, with hope to realize the American Dream, and with hope that someday they will join us and enjoy freedom in the nation that we love.
Christopher Columbus sailed across an ocean discovering America and for him we honor this day. For some Italian-American families, the stories they share about their ancestors’ lives in this country stretch back generations, stories about ancestors who helped build this nation. They are the stories of Italian-American artists, workers, lawyers, and leaders who chased the American Dream, never gave up on the idea of America. It is the land of honey that I heard about when I was a child, and the land of the free and the brave that I learned growing up.
To me, we owe the leaders who gave us the opportunity to honor the man who discovered America who lived 55 years. Columbus was an explorer, and was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451 and died May 20, 1506 in Valladolid, Spain.
Christopher Columbus and the Italian-Americans helped build our future. For many Italian Americans, the story of Christopher Columbus’ voyage crossing the Atlantic from the Spanish port of Palos de la Frontera on behalf of Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II remains a source of pride. But regardless of whether their families arrived in the America centuries ago or only recently, Italian-Americans’ courage, strength, and character are woven into the rich tapestry of our country, the United States of America.
Hope you enjoy your Columbus Day. If you plan to relax and have the urge to read a good book, hope you pick up one of mine! Read in Silent Freedom about how I got here and how I became a patriot. May you enjoy your holiday everyone, stay well during the season, and stay safe from harm.
Thank you for continuing to follow Silent Freedom and Indivisible, a Silent Freedom novel series.
Coming soon… my new book Liberty. Stay tuned!
