Ever Since Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492, his arrival in the New World has been a subject of great contention. Columbus has alternately been heralded as a hero and a conqueror--and celebrations this weekend reflect both views.

Traditional Columbus Day celebrations have hailed the explorer as the quintessential American and idealized his triumph over the Atlantic.

But traditions sometimes change. During the '60s, Columbus began to be seen more as a villain than a hero, and the celebration of Columbus' voyages has been replaced with celebrations of the indigenous peoples.

Boston, traditionally a very diverse city, is certainly not at a loss for celebrations, with a significant number of events taking place this weekend.

Reflecting the national trend, the city has largely shifted its focus to celebrate native and ethnic groups rather than the discovery of the New World.

But Columbus has not been entirely ignored in these festivities Italian-Americans will also celebrate Columbus Day as emblematic of the successes of Italian-Americans.

If all goes according to the events' organizers, this weekend may turn out to be more of a unifying force for area groups and residents than the typical conflict over Columbus' place in history.

Boston's annual Columbus Day Parade will attempt to unite all groups and opinions--whether they celebrate Columbus, Native Americans or spurn the day altogether--in participating in a festival of inclusion, according to parade organizers.

Myth of Columbus

The myth of Columbus rose after the Revolutionary War, as Americans sought to carve out a unique identity, according to Susan L. Lively, instructor of History 71a, "America: Colonial Times to the Civil War," a survey course in the History Department.

"This was part of the process of Americans trying to establish a national identity separate from a British identity in the early nineteenth century," Lively says.

In this process, Columbus became adopted as the quintessential American. King's College in New York City became Columbia University, the town of Columbia, South Carolina, was founded and Washington Irving wrote The Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus, "portraying Christopher Columbus as a hero," Lively says.

"During the end of the nineteenth century, there was a great influx of Southern and Eastern European immigrants coming [to America]," Lively says. "The allure of Columbus was only partly based on the fact that he was Catholic; he was also the first successful Italian-American at a time when Italian immigrants were looking for successful Italian-American role models."

This is especially true in the Boston area, says Joseph S. Keohane, chief marshal and manager of this Sunday's Columbus Day Parade.

"On the East Coast, the Portuguese and the Italians settled here and they laid claim to him," Keohane says. "Columbus Day is a tradition in the Boston area. There's even a rivalry between the Portuguese and the Italians about whose holiday it is."