Columbus Day - History Controversy and Change

Columbus Day is series exploring one of America's most debated holidays. Episode one traces Christopher Columbus from fifteenth century explorer to American icon, revealing how Italian Americans championed his legacy to claim their place in society. Episode two examines the holiday's golden age, from massive parades to school pageants, when Columbus Day meant pride, patriotism, and belonging. Episode three confronts the reckoning, exploring how Indigenous voices, historical scholarship, and cultural shifts transformed the celebration into controversy. Host Alex Calder guides listeners through the complex story of how we decide which histories to honor, whose perspectives matter, and what our holidays reveal about American identity. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.