Denver and Colorado have special significance to Italian Americans and Columbus Day for at least TWO Reasons.

(1) COLORADO WAS THE FIRST STATE TO CELEBRATE COLUMBUS DAY

Although it was in 1866, (138 years ago) on October 12, that the Italian population of New York organized the FIRST celebration of the discovery of America, and three years later, in 1869 Italians in San Francisco first celebrated Columbus.

And to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus' voyage, in 1892, President Benjamin Harrison made a commemorative proclamation.

But it was COLORADO, in 1905, (Next Year is the Centennial) that became the FIRST STATE to observe a Columbus Day.

(2) THE COLORADO KU KLUX KLAN WAS PRIMARILY ANTI-ITALIAN,
AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR 2 DIFFERENT ITALIAN LYNCHINGS

In Gunnison in 1890 and in Denver in 1893, Italians were lynched. A century ago, Salida newspapers often demanded action against "the thieving dagos" who hung around the railroad yards.

When the Ku Klux Klan nearly gained control of our state government after the 1924 election, the Klan was not anti-black or anti-Jewish so much as it was anti-Italian. Crosses were burned in Salida and Canon City on Italian lawns, and in Pueblo, the Klan led violent raids on wine-making Italians who were violating Prohibition - that era's war on controlled substances.

THEREFORE, While COLUMBUS DAY is the MOST Important Symbol NATIONALLY to ALL Italian Americans, COLORADO has a SPECIAL Significance.

For the last decade at least, the Native Americans in Denver have embarked on an unjustified, and irresponsible attack on COLUMBUS, even managing to have the Columbus Day Parade not held in Denver for a number of years, until it's recent resumption that was met with the greatest hostility, by the Native Americans that involved physical and verbal assaults.

So it is with great relief that I read the following Press Release from the National Italian American Council, (NIAC), (NOT to be confused with NIAF, or any of the other Major Italian American Organizations).

NIAC, is lead by Tony LaPiana, in Chicago, who in addition to their efforts on behalf of  Columbus Day, was also one of the three people (along with the principal Larry DeStasi, and John Calvelli) that was responsible for the enactment of the Legislation: "Wartime (WWII) Violation of Italian American Civil Liberties Act" (Registration, Curfew, Evacuation, Internment, that effected 600,000 Italian Americans) signed by President Clinton on November 7, 2000.

Tony is Prickly, but gets things done. Of course he will say in response, it is I that is the porcupine, but those of you who know me, realize that ooze nothing but charm :)

IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE:

A national grassroots signature campaign to save Christopher Columbus Holiday launched by the National Italian American Council, NIAC, recently scored a major victory.

On July 19th 2004, Mayor Hickenlooper and members of the city council in Denver, Colorado, voted in support of Italian Americans to continue with the celebration of the Columbus parade in its traditional form.

The Italian American community in Denver, Colorado, have not experienced such positive political support from a mayor, or city council since 1992.

The action taken by Mayor Hickenlooper and city council officers gives hope to all Americans and Italian Americans alike who wish to continue the celebration of Columbus holiday and the parade in its traditional form.

The city council placed strict regulations upon those wishing to obtain a parade permit, thus allowing for a more peaceful environment for those wishing to attend the event.

The Italian American community owes a debt of gratitude to Mickie Lava Clayton, state manager of Social Justice, (Denver, Colorado). For the National Italian American Council, NIAC, and to those Italian Americans representing the Denver, Colorado, Columbus Parade committee for strongly defending and advancing the Columbus parade.

Let this bold step forward send a message that the Columbus holiday, and the right to express freedom of speech, and assembly is alive and strong.

The National Italian American Council is an anti-defamation society.

One of the first known celebrations marking the discovery of the "New World" by Christopher Columbus was in 1792, when a ceremony organized by the Colombian Order was held in New York City honoring Christopher Columbus and the 300th anniversary of his landing in the Bahamas.

Then, on October 12, 1866 the Italian population of New York organized the first celebration of the discovery of America. Three years later, in 1869 Italians in San Francisco celebrated October 12 calling it C-Day.

To mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus' voyage, in 1892, President Benjamin Harrison made a commemorative proclamation.

But it was Colorado, in 1905, that became the first state to observe a Columbus Day. Since 1920 the day has been celebrated annually, and in 1937 President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed every October 12 as Columbus Day. That's where it remained until 1971 when Congress declared it a federal public holiday on the second Monday in October.

Columbus Day and Christopher Columbus - a History
http://wilstar.com/holidays/columbus.htm

Transform Columbus Day -- Denver, CO -- October 10-14th, 2002
http://www.transformcolumbusday.org/

COMMENTARY:

Better than Columbus Day
By Ed Quillen
Tuesday, October 14, 2003

Denver Post: Better than Columbus Day
http://www.transformcolumbusday.org/
media/20031014-dp.htm