COLUMBUS MONUMENT By Cristina Lozano, Kacia Wilson, Sosara Ma, Alex Veerasammy, Cristian - PowerPoint Presentation

COLUMBUS MONUMENT By Cristina Lozano, Kacia Wilson, Sosara Ma, Alex Veerasammy, Cristian Urgiles

INTRODUCTION Created in 1862 by a Scillian sculptor named Gaetano Russo Consists of a marble statue of Columbus at the top with a granite base and bronze fixtures The column has the three ships: the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria and there is an angel holding a globe on the pedestal as a sentiment to exploration The engraving in English and Italian are below : “To Christopher Columbus/ The Italians resident in America/ Scoffed at before/ during the voyage, menaced/ after it, chained/ As generous as oppressed, / To the world he gave a world. “Joy and glory/ Never uttered a more thrilling call/ That that which resounded/ From the conquered ocean/ In sight of the first American Island/ Land! Land!/ On the XII of October MDCCCXCII/ The Fourth Centenary/ Of the discovery of America/ In imperishable rememberance

Back in 1892 In 1892 an Italian-American newspaper called Il Progresso started a fundraising campaign for a monument to be made in the center of the circle in honor of 400 years since Columbus’ voyage. The New York Times reported on September 17, 1892 “It was something unusual for the avenue and the regular promenaders were to be seen gazing at the spectacle from the chamber windows while Italian peripatetic vendors thronged the sidewalks, and Italian mothers in rainbow attire dandled their children in their arms on the steps of millionaires’ palaces. The column of men in uniforms seldom seen above Bleecker Street marched up between the rows of brownstone houses to the lively music of the Italian national air. It was Italy’s day…”

1892 v. 2015

The Element of 3 and other fun features There is a definite flow to Columbus Circle surrounding the statue. 3 entrances 3 fountains 3 steps under the monument 3 boats sailed on the voyage which are seen on the column of the statue Two scenes are depicted on the base of the statue. One of the sailing to the shore and the second is the first contact on land. As well as an eagle holding a symbol of the American Bald Eagle in one claw and the Italian Anarchist symbol in the other.

Value of the Statue in 1892 The statue was erected by means of funds amassed by a prominent Italian Newspaper of the time, the Il Progresso. The statue cost $35,000 to erect In addition to its monetary value, the statue meant a lot to Italian-Americans, as it invoked a sense of cultural pride among them

Value of the Statue Today In 2005, water fountains, shrubbery, and wooden benches were added to the monument by the Olin Partnership, costing a whopping 20 million dollars While the statue is less of an Italian-American cultural staple, it has become a cultural icon for New York City, being in an area of heavy tourism, and appearing in movies such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and The Devil Wears Prada.

what is the value worth today? How much the monument is worth if it was sold today whether the meaning of the monument commemorates have changed whether anyone pays attention to it The money value would probably have gone up because their regularly up kept to be kept in good condition The meaning of the statue symbolizes the ties between Italy and the US because of Columbus’ voyage Many passers take notice of the statue as it used for tours and scavenger hunts

Discussion Questions Did Christopher Columbus really discover America? Do you think Columbus’s good actions outweigh his bad actions (mass genocide)? Should we continue to educate young students on the statue?What correlation do you find between the poem and the statue?

Christopher Columbus by E.E. Cummings In fourteen hundred ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. He had three ships that left from Spain; He said through sunshine, wind, and rain. He sailed by night; he sailed by day; He used the stars to find his way. A compass also helped him know How to find the way to go. Ninety sailors were on board; Some men worked while others snored. Then the workers went to sleep; And others watched the ocean deep. Day after day they looked for land; They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand. October 12 their dream came true, You never saw a happier crew!

"Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried;His heart was filled with joyful pride. But "India" the land was not; It was the Bahamas, and it was hot. The Arakawa natives were very nice; They gave the sailors food and spice. Columbus sailed on to find some gold To bring back home, as he'd been told. He made the trip again and again, Trading gold to bring to Spain. The first American? No, not quite. But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.

Citations/Bibliography Works Cited "COLUMBUS MEM ORIALS.; THREE OF THEM SOON TO BE PRESENTED TO THIS CITY." TimesMachine: . N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2015. "Daytonian in Manhattan." : The 1892 Christopher Columbus Monument . N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2015. Cummings, E. E. "In 1492 Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue." .Teach History Through Song . N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Sept. 2015. Adams, Herbert Baxter. Columbus and His Discovery of America. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. "Daytonian in Manhattan." : The 1892 Christopher Columbus Monument. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2015. "New York City – The Columbus Circle – Time Warner Center." Douglas Heddings. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Sept. 2015.