Columbus Day, 2026

More than five centuries ago, Christopher Columbus embarked westward across uncharted waters and discovered the New World — bringing with him the rich traditions of Western civilization and paving the way to the birth of the American Nation less than three centuries later. Today, we honor his life of valor, adventure, and ingenuity. We cherish his memory and pledge to safeguard his story. Above all, we remember with gratitude that the triumph of freedom and the glory of our Republic are the fruits of his faith and unrelenting devotion.

Glittering Generalities Vague, flattering phrasing about 'rich traditions of Western civilization' and the 'birth of the American Nation' evokes pride without specifics.

Flag-Waving Patriotic, religious, or in-group identity invoked to validate a position.

Slogans Catchy phrase used to compress a complex position into an emotionally loaded shorthand.

Transfer Borrows the legitimacy of a revered historical figure and his 'faith' to sanctify national achievements.

When Columbus and his crew made landfall on the islands of the present-day Bahamas, they first believed they had reached the shores of Asia. Instead, their voyage redrew the map of human possibility and opened a new chapter in the history of exploration. They unleashed a bold new age of discovery that expanded the horizons of knowledge, carried the splendors of the Western world across an ocean, and set in motion the forces that would culminate in the miracle of July 4, 1776. When they arrived, as a sign of devotion to God and respect to Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, Columbus raised a mighty cross in the newly discovered land as a sign that “Your Highnesses hold this land for your own, but chiefly as a sign of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ever since, this spirit of adventure has coursed through the veins of generations of patriots — from the brave settlers who established the first colonial foothold at Jamestown to the daring pioneers who pushed westward and tamed the frontier.

Glittering Generalities Vague, noble-sounding phrasing about 'human possibility' and a 'new chapter' conveys glory without specific substance.

Exaggeration/Hyperbole Casting the voyage as the cause of the 'miracle of July 4, 1776' overstates a causal chain far beyond the evidence.

Transfer Religious devotion, the cross, and the monarchs' authority are invoked to lend sacred legitimacy to the colonial story. Flagged: “a sign of devotion to God”.

Loaded Language Emotionally charged, heroic words glorify settlers and pioneers rather than describe facts. Flagged: “coursed through the veins of generations of patriots”.

Today, we reaffirm that Christopher Columbus is a legend whose vision, fortitude, and perseverance unleashed a dynamic of history that led to the creation of the greatest, freest, and most just Nation in history. We are forever indebted to his courageous voyage, and we will never allow his legacy to be erased by radical extremists. For this reason, earlier this year, I was proud to install a statue of Christopher Columbus on the White House grounds — an exact replica of the statue that stood for more than three decades in Baltimore, Maryland, from its dedication by President Ronald Reagan in October 1984 until rioters tore it down and threw it into Baltimore Harbor on July 4, 2020. Now placed at the White House, this magnificent monument stands as a testament to the resilient legacy of one of history’s greatest heroes.

Exaggeration/Hyperbole Absolute superlatives claim the US is the greatest, freest and most just nation in all of history, beyond what evidence supports. Flagged: “the greatest, freest, and most just Nation in history”.

Glittering Generalities Vague, emotionally positive virtue words glorify Columbus and the nation without specific substance. Flagged: “vision, fortitude, and perseverance”.

Loaded Language Emotionally charged label and glorifying terms are used in place of factual argument. Flagged: “radical extremists”.

Name Calling Critics or those removing the monuments are discredited with derogatory labels rather than answered. Flagged: “radical extremists”.

Transfer Borrows the authority of President Reagan and the White House to legitimize the statue. Flagged: “its dedication by President Ronald Reagan”.

Columbus Day also holds special significance for our incredible Italian-American citizens. Like Columbus, they have embodied a steadfast love of country and faith in God, and they continue to strengthen our communities and propel our country to even greater heights.

Glittering Generalities Vague, flattering praise of a group ('incredible') with no specific content.

Transfer Borrows legitimacy from Columbus as a historical figure and from faith in God to praise a group. Flagged: “Like Columbus, they have embodied a steadfast love of country and faith in God”.

In 1892, on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ epic voyage, Pope Leo XIII published an encyclical hailing “the greatness of his mind and heart,” which “can be compared to but few in the history of humanity.” The Pope continued: Columbus “looked for a something greater and higher than did these others.” Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World, we honor his unrivaled greatness. We embrace our duty to prove worthy of the inheritance he left us, to match his courage with our own, and to never abandon, forsake, or forget the beauty of our faith, the glories of our culture, and the stories of our heroes.

Transfer Borrows the authority of the Pope and a papal encyclical to legitimize veneration of Columbus. Flagged: “Pope Leo XIII published an encyclical hailing “the greatness of his mind and heart,””.

Exaggeration/Hyperbole Absolute superlative claim of Columbus's greatness beyond what evidence supports. Flagged: “his unrivaled greatness”.

Glittering Generalities Vague, emotionally positive praise like 'greatness' and 'epic' with no specific substance.