Patrick

Just returned from three plus hours of the parade up Fifth Avenue. This is a question to clear up my total ignorance. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but somehow assumed it would simply be a US flag waving patriotic type parade. But I was surprised that it is an all Italian parade, apparently sponsored by Italian-American groups. That's fine, but it threw me a little seeing mainly Italian flag waving and nearly all floats and groups for Italy. Who can tell me the origin of this parade. I mean, I know Christopher Columbus was Italian -- is that the idea? Or is it something else?

By the way, for the first hour we were at 46th and it was very, very slow. Finally we realized that although they said it started at 44th, all the floats were being staged further north, east and west on 47th and 48th and being filtered into the parade at that point. Once we moved up to 50th, we were able to see the full thing.

Ryan

You piqued my curiousity. I assume like every other immigrant group, the Italians were looking to make their mark in NY with a celebration of a native son. Columbus had more appeal I guess than Giovanni Caboto (aka John Cabot) and Verranzano.

Anyway, here's the link:
http://wilstar.com/holidays/columbus.htm

HowardR

Patrick, think of it this way: The Columbus Day Parade is all about Italian pride, similar to Irish pride at the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Patrick

OK, but I get why St. Patrick's Day features Irish Pride. I just never expected Columbus Day to be a source of Italian Pride. Are you saying it is simply because of the "favorite son" idea, Howard?

I'll check out that link, Ryan.

hamlet

As taken from www.columbuscitizensfd.org

"The Columbus Citizens Foundation (CCF) has been organizing the Columbus Day Parade since 1929, when the Parade was founded by the Columbus Citizens Committee."

HowardR

I'm not sure if I'd use the phrase "favorite son," but, yes, it's all about Italian pride.....and there's nothing wrong with that! (And, no, I am not Italian!)

Scarlett

Remember last year when the Mayor wanted Edie Falco from the Sopranos to be in the parade and the Italian/American groups who hate the Sopranos said NO?
It could be named the Italian Day Parade too

GoTravel

And to throw a wrench in things, some think Columbus was a Spanish Jew.

Taken from www.JewWatch.com

*There is evidence that Columbus spoke Spanish while still living in Italy, an unusual situation unless his family had originated in
Spain. Spanish-speaking Jewish refugees from the Inquisition were numerous in the Genoa area.

*The form "Colón" which Columbus adopted as the Spanish equivalent of his last name was not the expected form (which
would have been"Colom" or "Colombo"). It was however a common Jewish variation on the name.

Ryan

I recall something on the history channel that the St. Patrick's Day parade was originally intended as a show of political power to send a message that the Irish can't be ignored politically.

I assume the Italians (and Germans, and Poles, etc, etc.) had a similar motivation.

kodi

Patrick,
I was also at the parade today and wondered the same thing. If you route around on this web site I'm listing, it will give a lot of information.
http://www.columbuscitizensfd.org/pa...nframeset.html
I think it's the same website Hamlet listed, But I routed around the site a lot more and think I understand it better.
Anyway, we had a great time in New YOk this past weekend, did all we planned on doing, and really enjoyed the Hilton Hotel and the location.

jor

Personally I think that Columbus Day is one of those "holidays" which we need to get rid of or change to something else. Columbus introduced slavery of American natives in the western hemisphere. We don't owe him or his followers anything accept shame.