The Springfield Sons & Daughters of Italy celebrated Columbus Day in the south end of Springfield Monday morning. Christopher Columbus himself was Italian, despite having completed his voyage from Spain. Attendees of the celebration told 22News that this holiday means more to them than a 3-day weekend.

The Springfield Sons & Daughters of Italy hosted a Columbus Day celebration in front of the Christopher Columbus statue in Springfield. City officials and public figures embraced their Italian heritage and the sacrifice of those before them.