Randy Cabell wrote: > "Rejoice Columbia's Sons Rejoice, To Tyrants never bend the knee. > But join with heart and soul and voice for JEFFERSON and Liberty." I think this must be read as Columbia the motherland, rather than Columbia the mother figure. Americans have venerated Christopher Columbus as a "secular saint" for centuries, and school children have asked "If Columbus discovered America, then why is it called America?" One answer is to refer to the land as Columbia. > But my question is, who/what/how did early America pick up Columbia, who > may be the same as "Lady Liberty", and now that I think about it, I > believe Columbia stands atop the US Capitol in Washington DC. I think that is true, but I think the personification is secondary. John Chandler To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html