St. John’s University, New York’s largest Catholic institution, has officially removed Columbus Day from its academic calendar, replacing it with an extended “fall mini-break.” This decision has sparked criticism from Italian-American leaders and alumni, who feel the university is discrediting the historical significance of Christopher Columbus. Angelo Vivolo, president of the Columbus Heritage Coalition, called the move “an insult” to Columbus and to Italian heritage, expressing frustration over the university’s decision.
Former state Assemblyman Peter Abbate, a St. John’s alumnus, also voiced his displeasure, calling the removal of Columbus Day “outrageous” and “ludicrous.” He went so far as to suggest the university might as well remove “St.” from its name if they are going to disregard such an important figure in Catholic and Italian-American history.
In defense of the change, St. John’s spokesman Brian Browne explained that the university restructured its calendar in 2018, choosing to honor Veterans Day instead and designate the Columbus Day period as a “fall mini-break.” While the holiday is no longer named after Columbus, Browne noted that many in the St. John’s community continue to participate in New York’s Columbus Day festivities voluntarily.
The move reflects a broader trend among institutions to reassess their recognition of Columbus due to his controversial legacy involving the enslavement and mistreatment of Indigenous peoples. Other Catholic universities, such as Notre Dame and Seton Hall, have also distanced themselves from Columbus Day in recent years.
