National Christopher Columbus Association, Inc.

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National Christopher Columbus Association, Inc. National Christopher Columbus Assn, sponsor of annual Columbus Day Ceremony at the Columbus Memorial.

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.

More pictures from the Columbus Day Ceremony in Washington, DC. Thanks to Joseph Castillo for providing them. The Knig...
10/15/2026

More pictures from the Columbus Day Ceremony in Washington, DC. Thanks to Joseph Castillo for providing them. The Knights of Columbus added so much pageantry to the celebration.

10/15/2026
Thanks to CiaoDC for these pictures and attending the Columbus Day Ceremony on Monday in DC. CiaoDC also promoted the e...
10/15/2026

Thanks to CiaoDC for these pictures and attending the Columbus Day Ceremony on Monday in DC. CiaoDC also promoted the event. Be sure to check out their social media accounts that support and celebrate the Italian Heritage in DC.

More photos provided by OSDIA Roma Lodge #71.
10/14/2026

More photos provided by OSDIA Roma Lodge #71.

Thanks to OSDIA Roma Lodge #71 for participating in the wreath presentations at the Columbus Day ceremony in Washington...
10/14/2026

Thanks to OSDIA Roma Lodge #71 for participating in the wreath presentations at the Columbus Day ceremony in Washington, DC and providing pictures.

10/13/2026

Learn about Columbus’ four voyages and see how 15th-century mapmakers pictured the world.

10/13/2026

Congratulations to James Iacona, this year’s NIAF National Christopher Columbus Association Essay Contest winner!

Since 1996, NIAF has proudly joined with the National Christopher Columbus Association (NCCA) to sponsor an annual national essay contest on a topic related to Christopher Columbus for high school students throughout the United States. Today, Columbus Day, the NCCA held a ceremony to celebrate the Great Navigator and his voyages that changed the course of world history.

Want a chance to win a trip to Washington, D.C. next year? NIAF is now accepting essays for our 2027 NCCA Christopher Columbus Essay Contest! Every year, three outstanding essays are chosen from amongst the submissions to win a cash prize. The first-place winner receives a $1,200 prize and an all-expense-paid trip to read the essay at the Columbus Day event in Washington, D.C. The second-place winner receives $500, and the third-place winner receives $300.

To learn more about the contest and the essay prompt visit: https://bit.ly/3FDevoN

Photographed: 1st place Essay Contest Winner James Iacona, Ambassador of Italy to the United States Marco Peronaci, NIAF Vice Chair National and former Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush Anita Bevacqua McBride, and NIAF Director of Scholarships, Grants and Youth Engagement Julia Kennedy.

Thank you to the Italian American Museum of Washington DC for presenting a wreath at the Columbus Day Ceremony in DC.
10/13/2026

Thank you to the Italian American Museum of Washington DC for presenting a wreath at the Columbus Day Ceremony in DC.

05/28/2026

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PO Box 91187
Washington D.C., DC
20090

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