Reflecting on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Growing up, I never felt a strong personal connection to Columbus Day, even though I’m Italian-American. To me, it was just a day off school and a chance to learn a little more about “the founding of America.” I didn’t think of it as a celebration of heritage, and honestly, I didn’t even realize that Columbus never actually reached what is now the United States.
As I’ve learned more about my own Italian roots — tracing my great-grandparents back to Canistro in Abruzzo and working on my Italian citizenship — I’ve also learned more about the history behind Columbus Day. The holiday wasn’t originally about glorifying an explorer; it was about belonging.
Why Columbus Day Matters to the Italian-American Community
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Italian immigrants were among the most discriminated groups in America. They were called racial slurs, depicted as criminals, anarchists, and outsiders, and often denied jobs or housing. Many came to the U.S. seeking opportunity, only to find themselves in dangerous working conditions with little protection.
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a federal holiday in 1937, it wasn’t just about Christopher Columbus — it was about recognition. For Italian-Americans, it was a rare acknowledgment of their contributions and humanity in a time when both were routinely denied. The push for a national holiday came after decades of hardship and violence, reflected in moments like these:
- ⚖️ The 1891 New Orleans Massacre – Eleven Italian immigrants were lynched after being falsely accused of killing the city’s police chief. It remains one of the largest mass lynchings in U.S. history and led to a diplomatic crisis between the United States and Italy.
- 🧱 The 1899 Tallulah, Louisiana Lynchings – Five Italian men were murdered by a mob amid false accusations, highlighting widespread anti-Italian hostility across the South.
- ⛏️ The 1907 Monongah Mining Disaster (West Virginia) – Over 360 miners were killed in one of the deadliest industrial accidents in U.S. history. Many of the victims were Italian immigrants who had been recruited to perform the most dangerous work underground.
- 🪓 The 1914 Ludlow Massacre (Colorado) – Striking coal miners — many Italian, Greek, and Eastern European immigrants — were attacked by the Colorado National Guard and company guards. More than 20 people were killed, including women and children.
- ⚖️ The 1920 Sacco and Vanzetti Case (Massachusetts) – Two Italian immigrant anarchists were convicted and executed for murder amid anti-immigrant hysteria and questionable evidence. Their trial became an international symbol of injustice.
For many Italian-Americans, these experiences shaped a deep desire for acceptance and equality. Columbus Day became a way to assert our place in America’s story — not as outsiders, but as contributors to the nation’s growth and identity.
Honoring Heritage While Acknowledging Harm
At the same time, as we’ve learned more about the true impact of European colonization, it’s impossible to ignore the suffering and displacement that Indigenous peoples endured — and still endure today. Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day alongside or instead of Columbus Day isn’t about erasing Italian heritage; it’s about broadening our understanding of history.
We can honor the courage of our ancestors who came to America seeking a better life, while also honoring the Indigenous communities whose lives were forever changed by that same history. Both stories are true.
To learn more about Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Native perspectives on this holiday, visit:
As an Italian-American, I’ve come to see this day not as a competition between histories, but as an opportunity for reflection — to celebrate our roots while also committing to empathy, understanding, and respect for others’ experiences.
Moving Forward
History is complicated, and so are our identities. We don’t have to cling to outdated symbols to celebrate who we are. Italian-Americans have contributed so much to this country — in art, science, business, public service, and food — that our legacy stands on its own.
Maybe the best way to honor both Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day is to learn more, listen more, and celebrate more thoughtfully.
As we look forward, perhaps it’s also time to highlight new role models who better reflect the heart and spirit of the Italian-American experience:
- 🙏 Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850–1917) – The first U.S. citizen to be canonized as a saint, she dedicated her life to helping immigrants, building schools, hospitals, and orphanages for those in need. Her story of compassion and service embodies the values our community strives to uphold.
- 💼 Amadeo Pietro Giannini (1870–1949) – Founder of the Bank of Italy, which became Bank of America, Giannini revolutionized banking by lending to immigrants and working families when other banks turned them away. His vision helped countless people achieve the American dream.
- 🍝 Marcella Hazan (1924–2013) – A cookbook author who introduced authentic Italian cuisine to American kitchens, Hazan showed that Italian culture isn’t just something to celebrate once a year — it’s something to savor every day.
- 🎶 Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) – More than a singer, Sinatra broke barriers for Italian-Americans in entertainment and became a symbol of confidence, artistry, and perseverance during an era when prejudice still lingered.
These stories remind us that the true legacy of Italian-Americans isn’t rooted in conquest or controversy — it’s in the compassion, creativity, and courage of those who built bridges and opened doors for others.
A Moment to Reflect
This Monday, I invite you to take a few minutes to learn about both histories — the struggles of Italian immigrants seeking belonging and the resilience of Indigenous communities whose cultures predate America itself.
Both histories are true, and both deserve to be remembered with respect.