[Dr. Sivana]

Columbus Day was initiated to honor the contributions of Italian Americans, who are almost non-existent in South Dakota.

Yeah, that's what the Wikipedia entry says, and I use them as much as anybody, but I grew up in a very Catholic (25%+) portion of Connecticut and while the public school in my hometown certainly mentioned his Italian heritage, the celebration was always in the context of the discovery of the Americas. Frankly, Spain's role got at least equal billing (NOT a lot of Hispanics in CT in those days save a few spare Puerto Ricans in New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford). Except for the Columbus always being given an Italian accent in recitals, the Italian part was not particularly emphasized.

[nbenyo]

I grew up in Yonkers, and Columbus Day was celebrated as an Italian American holiday just like Saint Patrick’s day was for the Irish.