The National Columbus Celebration Association has announced that the annual ceremony will be moved from its traditional site at the Columbus Memorial Plaza at Union Station to the Casa Italiana Christopher Columbus courtyard adjacent to Holy Rosary Church, the national Italian parish. The Columbus Memorial across from Union Station remains closed due to the federal government shutdown.
The Casa Italiana Cultural Center and the Columbus courtyard are located at 595 Third, NW, Washington, DC 2001. The ceremony will begin at 11:00 am on Monday, October 14, 2013.
Columbus Day Ceremony across from Union Station
The program for this year’s ceremony will include :
Tributes to the Great Explorer delivered by representatives from the Embassies of Spain and Italy
The Honor America Corps of the Knights of Columbus will present the 27 official flags of the United States
Reading of the Presidential and Mayoral proclamations
Presentation of the National Youth Essay Winner, cosponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and National Italian American Foundation
Wreath presentations by the embassies, partner organizations, patriotic and heraldic organizations, civic organizations, and scouts.
This year’s wreath presentations will be at the beautiful statue of Christopher Columbus in the courtyard of Holy Rosary Church adjacent to Casa Italiana. This unique annual event commemorates the life and accomplishments of Christopher Columbus, the history of the Americas, and is designed to emphasize both the patriotic and educational aspects of this federal holiday.
A religious commemoration of Columbus Day with Mass will be held at Holy Rosary Church, 595 3rd St, NW, Washington, DC, on Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Noon. This event is co-sponsored by the Lido Civic Club of Washington, DC, and the District of Columbia State Council of the Knights of Columbus. A short program will take place after Mass at the Columbus statue in the courtyard of Holy Rosary Church. This statue of Columbus was donated by the Lido Civic Club, an Italian American organization founded in 1929.
Casa Italiana, 595 Third St., NW
October 14, 2013 – 11:00 am