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'''Columbia''' was a goddess-like female figure who was common representation in art of the United States, as The Goddess of Democracy. The Latin term derived of from [[Christopher Columbus]], "The lands of Columbus". Columbia is often a name of vessels used in exploration. She is seen as virtuous and protective, the symbol of American pride and progress. Miss Columbia has declined due to the [[Statue of Liberty]] having taken her place next to Uncle Sam.  

'''Columbia''' was a goddess-like female figure who was common representation in art of the United States, as The Goddess of Democracy. The Latin term derived of from [[Christopher Columbus]], "The lands of Columbus". Columbia is often a name of vessels used in exploration. She is seen as virtuous and protective, the symbol of American pride and progress. Miss Columbia has declined due to the [[Statue of Liberty]] having taken her place next to Uncle Sam.  

Columbia was introduced by black poet Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) in her 1776 poem, "To His Excellency [[George Washington]]". <ref>Previous poems by others had used the term in the 1760s, but they were forgotten.</ref> Wheatley's poem was based heavily on classical Roman sources, which she used in translation, and as befits a model of [[Republicanism]], Columbia is garbed in Roman dress. Washington was impressed and asked to meet Wheatley. The term caught public fancy and many places in the Western Hemisphere were named after her, such as the [[District of Columbia]], [[Columbia University]], and the Colombia River.<Ref> In 1858, Queen Victoria named [[British Columbia]] part of Canada, named after its' Columbia River.</ref>  Before Columbia came into wide use around 1790, America was often represented as an Indian princess, especially in European cartoons.  

Columbia was introduced by black poet Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) in her 1776 poem, "To His Excellency [[George Washington]]". <ref>Previous poems by others had used the term in the 1760s, but they were forgotten.</ref> Wheatley's poem was based heavily on classical Roman sources, which she used in translation, and as befits a model of [[Republicanism]], Columbia is garbed in Roman dress. <ref>Thomas J. Steele, "The Figure of Columbia: Phillis Wheatley plus George Washington," ''New England Quarterly,'' Vol. 54, No. 2 (Jun., 1981), pp. 264-266 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/364975 in JSTOR]</ref> Washington was impressed and asked to meet Wheatley. The term caught public fancy and many places in the Western Hemisphere were named after her, such as the [[District of Columbia]], [[Columbia University]], and the Colombia River.<Ref> In 1858, Queen Victoria named [[British Columbia]] part of Canada, named after its' Columbia River.</ref>  Before Columbia came into wide use around 1790, America was often represented as an Indian princess, especially in European cartoons.  

In 1792, a statue of Columbus was raised at Tammany Hall in New York City and an eloquent oration was delivered by Mr. John B. Johnson. A toast of honor was given, <ref>[http://www.millersville.edu/~columbus/data/art/WESTKLN1.ART Columbus and Columbia, Millersville.edu]</ref> ''"May the genius of liberty, as she has conducted the sons of Columbia with glory to the commencement of the fourth century, guard their fame to the end of time." ''  

In 1792, a statue of Columbus was raised at Tammany Hall in New York City and an eloquent oration was delivered by Mr. John B. Johnson. A toast of honor was given, <ref>[http://www.millersville.edu/~columbus/data/art/WESTKLN1.ART Columbus and Columbia, Millersville.edu]</ref> ''"May the genius of liberty, as she has conducted the sons of Columbia with glory to the commencement of the fourth century, guard their fame to the end of time." ''  

[[File:Columb1.jpg|thumb|430px|[[Thomas Nast]], the great cartoonist of the 1870s, often used Columbia to portray America.  Here she is enslaved by taxes. ''Harper's Weekly'' Feb. 9, 1878]]

[[File:Columb1.jpg|thumb|430px|[[Thomas Nast]], the great cartoonist of the 1870s, often used Columbia to portray America.  Here she is enslaved by taxes. ''Harper's Weekly'' Feb. 9, 1878]]

In a 1872 painting by John Gast, American Progress, "Columbia" leads civilization to the westward frontier with American settlers. Columbia usually was disdainful of aristocracy and royalty, but was of mixed feelings about imperialism. [[File:Columbia4.jpg|thumb|320px|Columbia is a sailor in President [[William McKinley]]'s navy, and is trying on "world power" on April 6, 1901; the feather is smoke representing expansion into the Pacific and Caribbean]].  

In a 1872 painting by John Gast, American Progress, "Columbia" leads civilization to the westward frontier with American settlers. Columbia usually was disdainful of aristocracy and royalty, but was of mixed feelings about imperialism. [[File:Columbia4.jpg|thumb|320px|Columbia is a sailor in President [[William McKinley]]'s navy, and is trying on "world power" on April 6, 1901; the feather is smoke representing expansion into the Pacific and Caribbean]].  

* Sheppard, Alice. ''Cartooning for Suffrage'' (1994) online at [[Questia]], discusses numerous cartoons featuring Columbia

* Sheppard, Alice. ''Cartooning for Suffrage'' (1994) online at [[Questia]], discusses numerous cartoons featuring Columbia

* "Columbus and Columbia: A Pictorial History of the Man and the Nation" (1893)

* Columbus and Columbia: A Pictorial History of the Man and the Nation (1893)

==See Also==

==See Also==

* [[America]]

* [[America]]

* [[British Columbia]]

* [[British Columbia]]

==References==

==References==

==External Links==

==External Links==

* [http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2008-03-13-voa9.cfm Images of Miss Columbia]

* [http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/2008-03-13-voa9.cfm Images of Miss Columbia]

* [http://www.nationalcigarmuseum.com/Themes/Patriotism.html Patriotic Themes]

* [http://www.nationalcigarmuseum.com/Themes/Patriotism.html Patriotic Themes]

[[Category:Republicanism]]

[[Category:Republicanism]]