Ronald Reagan

“ Every October the people of the United States celebrate the day nearly 500 autumns ago when Christopher Columbus and the crews of the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria found a New World. That world is our Western Hemisphere, and we in the United States trace the history and development of our country and our culture back to Columbus and his daring exploration, his initiative, his faith, and his courage. ”

“ The Admiral of the Ocean Seas is remembered as well for challenging the horizons of his time and place, for his spirit of reaching beyond the obvious, for defying the pessimists and expanding the frontiers of knowledge. That spirit animated those who followed him to the New World through the centuries and brought untold energy, boldness, and ingenuity with them. ”

“ We Americans are risk-takers; like Columbus, we have a vision of the world as it can be, and of the future as an opportunity and a challenge.
Italian Americans have special reason to celebrate Columbus Day with great pride. Columbus was the first of many Italian travelers who have made contributions to the New World. Columbus is one of many links binding the United States and Italy in a special relationship. ”