It’s a dreary spring day in New York, with clouds hiding the skyline. Raindrops, puddles, and a cool evening temperature make walking around the Big Apple unenjoyable — that is, until arriving at Cipriani’s 42nd Street. Walking in was like entering the wardrobe to go to Narnia. The gloomy night was replaced by the aura and enchantment of the National Italian American Foundation’s gala, celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary. Guests were greeted by the wit and charm of Joe Piscopo, the master of ceremonies, and the wondrous sounds of Christopher Macchio’s phenomenal tenor voice.
The NIAF has been instrumental in advancing important Italian American cultural issues in the country. In just the last two years, some of these accomplishments include helping to finance the production of the film Cabrini, commissioning the Navy destroyer USS John Basilone, named after the Italian American World War II hero, and numerous other endeavors. It also includes restoring the legacy of explorer Christopher Columbus, one of the world’s most important historical figures, whose accomplishments have been tarnished in recent years.
Through the advancement of revisionist history predicated on a Howard Zinn-style of progressive narration, Columbus’s legacy has largely been demonized and vilified in a way that portrays him as an evil, genocidal maniac. The NIAF has rebuked these attacks and worked to maintain the significance of his legacy. One such effort includes the organization’s annual “Christopher Columbus Essay Contest” for high school students.
Efforts to restore Columbus’s legacy have been long and hard, but progress has been made, culminating in President Donald Trump’s recent assertion in a Truth Social post that he would restore Columbus Day to its former glory. It was a courageous political move by the president to counter the left-wing attack on our nation’s history and culture. NIAF President Robert Allegrini acknowledged the significance of Trump’s commitment to restoring Columbus Day.
“President Trump’s statement on Columbus Day represents a powerful affirmation of Italian American heritage and identity that resonates deeply within our community,” Allegrini said. “For many Italian Americans, Columbus Day symbolizes an opportunity to celebrate our collective contributions to the United States, and the president’s strong endorsement validates the historical and cultural significance of this celebration.”
Furthermore, it was a development that happened thanks to Piscopo. The talk show host and former Saturday Night Live cast member had a conversation with Trump about the attacks on Columbus Day and the need to defend it. Piscopo is a wonderful, patriotic American who has hosted many of the NIAF’s galas over the years. Trump listened to his insight on Columbus Day, and the rest was history.
Trump essentially vowed to make Columbus Day great again, a monumental step that no other president has dared to take. Allegrini was not lost on the magnitude of the president’s commitment.
“The president’s unequivocal support for Columbus Day represents a significant shift in the national dialogue about Italian American heritage and our cultural symbols,” Allegrini said. “In recent years, NIAF has witnessed growing challenges to Columbus Day celebrations and memorials, with statues being vandalized or removed across the nation. Having presidential leadership that explicitly stands against these actions provides meaningful reassurance to Italian Americans who have felt their heritage and history were being unfairly maligned.”
Regardless of the contemporary, left-wing, historical revisionism associated with Columbus, he is unquestionably one of the most influential figures in the history of the world. Word of his discovery of the Western Hemisphere on Oct. 12, 1492, altered the course of history and human civilization.
“Christopher Columbus represents a pivotal figure in world history whose voyage fundamentally transformed human civilization by connecting continents and cultures that had developed separately for millennia,” Allegrini said. “This monumental achievement forever changed the course of human development and began the extraordinary multicultural exchange that would eventually lead to the diverse American society we cherish today.”
“Italian Americans have long viewed Columbus Day as more than simply honoring one historical figure — it represents the beginning of centuries of immigration to America and the struggles and achievements of those who followed, particularly our Italian ancestors,” Allegrini said. “The Columbus statues and celebrations that have been targeted in recent years were often established by early Italian immigrants who collected ‘literally nickels and dimes’ to fund monuments representative of their culture during times when Italian Americans faced significant discrimination.”
Trump’s support and dedication to Columbus Day represent a sociopolitical change in the narrative of the Renaissance Era explorer. He’s ridding the toxic stain of left-wing cultural saboteurs and righting a decadeslong wrong.
“This level of presidential support acknowledges that cultural symbols important to Italian Americans deserve protection and preservation,” Allegrini added. “NIAF has consistently maintained that we should not attempt to deny or erase America’s history, and that it is unfair to apply today’s political norms to historical figures from over 500 years ago.”
TRUMP PROMISES TO BRING BACK COLUMBUS DAY ‘FROM THE ASHES’
“The President’s stance aligns with our position that a more productive approach is to engage in reasonable debate about historical legacies while still respecting the deep significance these celebrations hold for Italian Americans,” Allegrini said.
“As NIAF has consistently maintained, preserving Columbus Day is about honoring our shared history and the values of courage, perseverance, and vision that inspired generations of immigrants seeking a better life,” he added.