Twenty-five Jewel Boxes

 

In 1891, a New Orleans jury acquitted six Italian immigrants who’d been charged with murdering a local police chief. There were rumors the jury had been tampered with – either paid off or threatened – by the mafia. Within hours, armed vigilantes broke into the prison and dragged out the six men along with thirteen other incarcerated Italians. Nine were shot to death, and two were hanged. Most Americans at the time distrusted immigrants, especially Italians, and felt the mob violence was justified. But Italy (it was a kingdom back then) and Italian Americans were horrified. Diplomatic relations were broken off, and there was actually talk of war. President Harrison offered reparations to the survivors of some victims as an olive branch. He then urged congress to declare a national holiday to celebrate the 400th anniversary of an Italian explorer’s arrival in the New World. And that, boys and girls, is why we have Columbus Day.