The most prominent commemorative figure of Christopher Columbus in the nation's capital, the only United States jurisdiction named for Columbus, stands in a marble fountain setting in a plaza in front of one of the great landmark buildings in the city-Union Station-opposite the United States Capitol. Dedicated in 1912 before a crowd of nearly 20,000 individuals including President Taft and cabinet members, Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, thousands of Knights of Columbus, and others, it has been a focal point for annual celebrations to honor the great navigator and discoverer. Over the decades the celebrations were held by various organizations, to 1934 Congress authorized and requested the President to issue an annual Columbus Day proclamation, and in 1968 declared Columbus Day a public holiday, commencing in 1971. After that time there was a gradual evolution of planning, which involved the Knights of Columbus, Italian—American organizations, United States military organizations, the diplomatic corps, especially Italy, Spain, and the Bahamas, and the National Park Service. In 1989 these efforts culminated in organizing The Washington Columbus Celebration Association, which has been responsible since then for the yearly Columbus Day event. It was renamed The National Columbus Celebration Association in 1999. The Association is governed by a board of directors elected by its general membership, with officers chosen annually by the board. In an effort to more accurately reflect the broader scope of its educational mission as agreed to by its board, it was renamed the National Christopher Columbus Association on 22 August, 2013. The Association seeks to honor not only the memory of Columbus and his historic achievement in linking the Old World and the New, but also the higher values that motivated and sustained him in his efforts and trials. Those virtues—his faith, the courage of his convictions, dedication to purpose, perseverance in effort, professional excellence, and boldness in facing the unknown—are as appropriate today as they were in his time. The Association invites individuals and organizations who identify with these purposes to join in membership.
