It’s time to remember why
Columbus Day was established
On March 14, 1891, 11 Italians were lynched by an organized mob set on their own form of justice. Thousands of mob members stormed the Orleans Parish Prison, where these innocent men were held, broke in and savagely killed and hanged the men, setting off a national and then an international scandal.
This set back Italian American relations, but, more significantly for those Italian immigrants as well as naturalized Italians in America, the bias and vitriol resulted in retribution, bias and opened a wound in the Italian American fabric for many years. Successful in helping heal that wound, the Commission for Social Justice—the anti-bias arm of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy—engaged the current New Orleans Mayor for an official Proclamation of Apology, which was offered at a recent April 12, 2019 ceremony in New Orleans. This memorial will serve to honor the 11 Italian immigrants who were lynched in New Orleans. It will also serve to pay tribute to the Italian American community and their contributions to our society. It’s time to remember why Columbus Day was established. Columbus Day was established by President Harrison in 1892 as an apology for the mob Lynching in New Orleans of 11 Italians.
Columbus Day was established as an apology to the Italian Community and to honor Italians for all their accomplishments, contributions to the Arts, Design, hard work, and family-focused values. In 1937 President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a National Holiday. Again, due to the ongoing efforts of our National Committee for Social Justice, the Mayor of New Orleans sent an apology to the Order of Sons and Daughters of Italy in America for this egregious event.
On Oct. 6, 2024, a plaque was placed at the lynching site to remind people about this awful event and acknowledge the Italian community for all it has provided throughout the years.
We, as Italians, need to remember and remind people the REASON Columbus Day was established and not focus so much on Christopher Columbus, whose name was used to honor the Italian community.
Respectfully submitted by Linda Buccini Anderson, President, Grand Lodge of the Northwest
We, as Italians, need to remember and remind people the REASON Columbus Day was established and not focus so much on Christopher Columbus, whose name was used to honor the Italian community.
Respectfully submitted by Linda Buccini Anderson, President, Grand Lodge of the Northwest
Many National Officers from the Sons and Daughters of Italy attended, including our 4th National Vice President Tony Bisceglia Anderson and National President Michael Polo