In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a national holiday after lobbying efforts by the Knights of Columbus, an influential Catholic fraternal organization. Originally observed on Oct. 12, it was moved to the second Monday in October in 1971.
But the day was celebrated before then in many areas across the country, and Syracuse was one of them. On Oct. 12, 1934, Syracuse dedicated the Christopher Columbus statue at St. Mary's Circle, now known as Columbus Circle.
Source: http://www.syracuse.com/
