President Donald Trump installed a replica of a Columbus statue toppled in Baltimore in 2020 is now displayed near the White House.
Christopher Columbus was seen as a 15th- and 16th-century explorer credited for connecting the Old World of Europe, Africa, and Asia with the New World of North America and South America. However, historical evidence has led to Columbus being reframed by some educators as a colonizer rather than explorer, and someone whose arrival led to land theft, enslavement, disease, and cultural destruction for Indigenous communities.
Many Americans still continue to see Columbus as a mythic national figure. Born in Genoa, Italy, Columbus is still embraced by some Italian-American communities as a symbol of their heritage. Though Trump’s decision to embrace Columbus is, on one level, an effort to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, he has long expressed support for the. Last October, he issued a Columbus Day proclamation, describing him as"the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization, and one of the most gallant and visionary men to ever walk the face of the Earth."The statue originally stood in Columbus Piazza in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood, where it was unveiled by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. On July 4, 2020, protesters used ropes and chains to topple the monument and throw it into Baltimore's Inner Harbor, amid nationwide unrest following the. Sculptor Will Hemsley was hired to restore the statue, combining recovered pieces from the harbor with new additions and repairs. The restored replica is owned by the Italian American Organizations United, whose president, Maryland lobbyist John Pica, said his organization voted unanimously to loan the statue to the federal government after being contacted by a White House intermediary around Columbus Day last year. The statue remains on loan and would be returned if a future administration requested its removal. Trump has long opposed the removal of Columbus statues, speaking out as early as 2017 against a review of the 76-foot statue at New York's Columbus Circle.describing the explorer as"the original American hero, a giant of Western civilization." He also made clear he would not continue Biden's practice of recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day. Biden was the first U.S. president to formally issue an Indigenous Peoples Day proclamation, in 2021, honoring the"invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples." Columbus Day's origins are themselves rooted in immigration politics. Columbus' expeditions never reached the North American mainland, but he became a symbol of Italian-American identity as immigrants arrived in the U.S. in large numbers. The first Columbus Day celebration followed the 1891 lynching of 11 Italian-American immigrants in New Orleans. President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated it a national holiday in 1934."In this White House, Christopher Columbus is a hero. And he will continue to be honored as such by President Donald Trump.""I'm bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes. The Democrats did everything possible to destroy Christopher Columbus, his reputation, and all of the Italians that love him so much.""We are delighted the statue has found a place where it can peacefully shine and be protected.""The statue had to be repaired after the thugs attempted to destroy it and threw it into the Inner Harbor. The statue is repaired and ready to be displayed in a prominent position of honor, worthy of the great Christopher Columbus…We are so pleased at the prospect of the statue being displayed on the hallowed grounds of the White House.Analysis
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
White House installs Christopher Columbus statue made from remains of toppled sculpturePresident Trump signed a proclamation on Oct. 9 officially designating Monday, Oct., 13 as Columbus Day. 'We're calling it Columbus Day,' said Trump. 'We're back, Italians.'
Read more »
Dana White Left Irate After Media Member Pushes Him On Jon Jones UFC White House SnubThe UFC CEO and 'Bones' are continuing to butt heads at nearly every turn.
Read more »
Statue of Christopher Columbus installed on White House groundsA statue of Christopher Columbus has been erected outside of an ornate federal office building on the White House grounds — the latest sign of the Trump administration’s efforts to reshape cultural and historical representations across the nation’s capital.
Read more »
Trump places statue of Christopher Columbus near the White HouseANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A statue of Christopher Columbus has been placed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House,
Read more »
Trump places statue of Christopher Columbus near the White HouseA statue of Christopher Columbus been placed on the grounds of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building adjacent to the White House.
Read more »
Trump places statue of Christopher Columbus near the White HouseThe Associated Press
Read more »