Columbus Day has been a federal holiday since 1934. In 1970, Congress declared the second Monday in October as the official day of celebration. Roughly 2.7 million Americans live in 54 counties, districts, cities, incorporated towns, boroughs, villages and census designated places named after Columbus, the largest of which is Ohio’s capital city. Today we'll explore the history of commemorating the explorer Christopher Columbus and what he means to indigenous peoples and Italian Americans.
Guests:
- Tynan Krakoff, organizer, Showing Up for Racial Justice
- Elissa Washuta, essayist, member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe
- J.P. Contino, communications director, Columbus Piave Club
- John Low, coordinator, American Indian Studies at the Ohio State University Newark Campus
- Ronnie Rimbert, Oberlin City Council President