Christopher Columbus's media image mirrors Italian-American clichés (videos)

October 12, 3:22 PMCulture & Events ExaminerRick Marianetti

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While the first celebration of Columbus's 70-day expedition to the New World took place in New York on October 12, 1792, it wasn't until 1937 that President Roosevelt officially proclaimed October 12 as Columbus Day (now observed the second Monday in October).

Ever since, the legacy of Christopher Columbus has careened between polarized caricatures. Some see the Genovese sailor’s all-in gamble across the sea as as an extraordinary achievement of 15th century technology and navigation, comparable to the moon landing.

Others ask how Columbus could have "discovered" a continent that was already inhabited by millions, most of whom died of disease or genocide. If anyone discovered America, it’s the indigenous peoples who left Asia on foot or by sea 20,000 years ago; the drama of their several thousand-mile trek will remain irretrievably lost among the greatest stories of pre-history.

That fragmented images of Columbus and Italian-Americans in popular culture persist shouldn’t be all that surprising; Italy didn’t become a unified country until 1861.

The following YouTube shorts--alternately hilarious, clichéd, transcendent--reflect that history.

“The Godfather in 1 minute” by the Famous Last Nerds:

“The Great Italian Festival” at the Eldorado in Reno:

 “Colorful” by Rocco Deluca and the Burden:

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Christopher Columbus portrait by Renaissance painter Ridolfo Ghirlandaio: National Committee for the Celebration of the Quincentenary of the Discovery of America, Genoa, Italy.