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The Incredible Irony Of MAGA's Columbus Day Obsession
It literally only exists because people were horrible to immigrants.
It didn’t become a national holiday, however, until a bunch of Real Americans went a little too far in New Orleans in 1891 and went and lynched 11 Sicilians in the largest recorded mass lynching in American history. The people of New Orleans believed that “the mafia” had killed police chief David Hennessy (who, oddly enough, actually did kill the New Orleans Chief of Detectives — his rival Thomas Devereaux — and was found not guilty by reason of self defense a decade prior). They were outraged when nine of the 19 Sicilians indicted for his murder were found innocent, due to the fact that they had alibis and there was no evidence beyond the fact that before he died, Chief Hennessy said “It was the dagoes,” although when asked if he knew which “dagoes,” he said he didn’t recognize them.
After Hennessy was killed, the city reacted by just beating the shit out of hundreds of immigrants and throwing them in jail, rather arbitrarily.
...
After the acquittals, the most prominent, well-respected men in the community subsequently took out an ad in all the local papers advertising a “mass meeting” at Clay Statue about what actions to take to “remedy the failure of justice,” and to “come prepared for action.” Historically, when people had meetings at Clay Statue, violence was going to be on the table, so people knew what was going on.
...
This was the general feeling across the United States until the Italian government stepped in and started a diplomatic crisis, starting with pulling their ambassador from the United States. While none of the murderers were ever prosecuted, the United States did pay $25,000 in reparations to the families of the victims — which would be about $900,000 today — and, ultimately, created the holiday of Columbus Day.
https://www.wonkette.com/p/the-incredible-irony-of-magas-columbus
It didn’t become a national holiday, however, until a bunch of Real Americans went a little too far in New Orleans in 1891 and went and lynched 11 Sicilians in the largest recorded mass lynching in American history. The people of New Orleans believed that “the mafia” had killed police chief David Hennessy (who, oddly enough, actually did kill the New Orleans Chief of Detectives — his rival Thomas Devereaux — and was found not guilty by reason of self defense a decade prior). They were outraged when nine of the 19 Sicilians indicted for his murder were found innocent, due to the fact that they had alibis and there was no evidence beyond the fact that before he died, Chief Hennessy said “It was the dagoes,” although when asked if he knew which “dagoes,” he said he didn’t recognize them.
After Hennessy was killed, the city reacted by just beating the shit out of hundreds of immigrants and throwing them in jail, rather arbitrarily.
...
After the acquittals, the most prominent, well-respected men in the community subsequently took out an ad in all the local papers advertising a “mass meeting” at Clay Statue about what actions to take to “remedy the failure of justice,” and to “come prepared for action.” Historically, when people had meetings at Clay Statue, violence was going to be on the table, so people knew what was going on.
...
This was the general feeling across the United States until the Italian government stepped in and started a diplomatic crisis, starting with pulling their ambassador from the United States. While none of the murderers were ever prosecuted, the United States did pay $25,000 in reparations to the families of the victims — which would be about $900,000 today — and, ultimately, created the holiday of Columbus Day.
https://www.wonkette.com/p/the-incredible-irony-of-magas-columbus
Teen Vogue also points out there was an election in 1892, so bigging up the 400th anniversary of his first voyage was also an attempt to win Catholic votes:
One year later, the U.S. embarked on a very public, national celebration called “Discoverer’s Day” to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ landing. Newspapers published his accounts in full-page spreads across the nation, churches and synagogues held services, and public-school students participated in patriotic marches. There were American symbols at the demonstrations – flags, Uncle Sam, and red, white, and blue bunting.
...
Another note of importance: 1892 just happened to be an election year. President Benjamin Harrison recognized that the growing American Catholic voting bloc – including Italian, Irish, and German Americans – was growing and might help him clinch the election. If Harrison was to support an “American historical figure” with Catholic roots, he might have a better shot at securing their votes. It was a bet, however, that didn’t pay off. Third Party candidate and populist, James B. Weaver, split the vote, handing the victory to Grover B. Cleveland.
From this moment on, many in the Italian American community embraced “Columbus Day” even though “Discoverer’s Day” was meant as a one-time national celebration. They celebrated him annually and mutual aid societies, small businesses, and community leaders hosted parades and dinners. By the mid-20th century, Columbus celebrations were synonymous with celebrations of Italian pride as well as American patriotism. It was a way for Italian immigrants and their families to show American citizens that, they too, were “good Americans.” The meaning of the American symbol of Columbus began to shift to mean “Italian American.”
In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made Columbus Day a federal holiday at the urging of prominent Italian American leaders, such as Generoso Pope in New York City, and Catholic lobbying groups, such as the Knights of Columbus. And so Columbus Day became an official holiday on the American calendar.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/origin-of-columbus-day-america
...
Another note of importance: 1892 just happened to be an election year. President Benjamin Harrison recognized that the growing American Catholic voting bloc – including Italian, Irish, and German Americans – was growing and might help him clinch the election. If Harrison was to support an “American historical figure” with Catholic roots, he might have a better shot at securing their votes. It was a bet, however, that didn’t pay off. Third Party candidate and populist, James B. Weaver, split the vote, handing the victory to Grover B. Cleveland.
From this moment on, many in the Italian American community embraced “Columbus Day” even though “Discoverer’s Day” was meant as a one-time national celebration. They celebrated him annually and mutual aid societies, small businesses, and community leaders hosted parades and dinners. By the mid-20th century, Columbus celebrations were synonymous with celebrations of Italian pride as well as American patriotism. It was a way for Italian immigrants and their families to show American citizens that, they too, were “good Americans.” The meaning of the American symbol of Columbus began to shift to mean “Italian American.”
In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made Columbus Day a federal holiday at the urging of prominent Italian American leaders, such as Generoso Pope in New York City, and Catholic lobbying groups, such as the Knights of Columbus. And so Columbus Day became an official holiday on the American calendar.
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/origin-of-columbus-day-america