Reply To: Why is Columbus Day a legal holiday?

FWIW, there’s an interesting NPR blog entry today about Columbus and his Day. President Benjamin Harrison was the first to call for a national observance on the 400th anniversary of his first voyage. The Italian-Americans touted it as a way to emphasize their patriotism in an era when they were the victims of prejudice (11 Sicilian immigrants were lynched in New Orleans in 1891). It seems to me they would have more correct to push for Verrazano Day, since he at least explored North America.