Throughout the course of history, many strange and wondrous events have shaped the world in which we live. With the unstable variable of humanity as an active, if not downright key, ingredient, some of these happenings remain enigmatic. For example, how did America become “America”? Why was Columbus so celebrated and then left to dwell in nominal obscurity behind the hobbyist cartographer, Amerigo Vespucci? We are known now and probably forever more as Americans. Whether by act or by accident, Amerigo Vespucci has a rightful claim to be the namesake of our nation. For it was Amerigo Vespucci, full of intellectual curiosity, who truly “discovered” a New World. Monday, October 13, 1997 Lancaster County Courthouse, HIST392 News     “To be or not to be”--that is certainly the question on everyone’s mind, everywhere in the known world today. With the incredible case, already dubbed by many as “The Trial of the Millennium”, scheduled to begin tomorrow morning with opening statements set for 8:00 a.m., the very identity of the most powerful nation in the world could be at stake. “It’s like being in your golden years and finding out your whole life was a meaningless dream,” is the way one bewildered spectator sums up the issue put forth in the unprecedented law suit brought against Amerigo Vespucci, the namesake of America, by none other than Christopher Columbus, renowned discoverer and, more recently, justice system litigant.     Fitting that the issue of “America” and “Americaness” has come to a head in the cramped courtroom in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Famous for its Quaker-like Amish farmers, Lancaster is a tranquil suburb nestled away from the urban centers of Philadelphia and Harrisburg to remain virtually untouched by the national spotlight.     “We’re not used to all this attention,” stated George Brubaker of Landis Valley. True enough. Aside from the occasional movie crew (Oprah Winfrey was in town just a few weeks ago.) or presidential visit (Former President George Bush visited a local high school in 1989.), Lancaster countians relish their relative anonymity in this quiet suburban haven. This week, however, almost five hundred and five short years to the day of Christopher Columbus’ so-called discovery of America, an ironic and raucous celebration of sorts has manifested itself in the narrow, small town streets of Lancaster city.     Outside the large granite steps marching up the back of the downtown courthouse, the eyes of the nation, indeed the world, have focused on two camps, both extremely vocal, that have emerged at the forefront of this historical and sociological hailstorm. The Americanites--advocates of Amerigo Vespucci--have marched the streets of America and landed here in Lancaster city to protest the recent lawsuit brought against Amerigo by his one-time friend and well-known explorer, Christopher Columbus. Directly across from this avid, well-financed group is the opposition known as The Friends of Columbus. Led by their charismatic founder, Dr. Thomas Tirado, a professor of history at Millersville University, The Friends of Columbus have gained strength and credibility in this increasingly sordid court case.     Amid shouting picket lines and police barricades, Dr. Tirado and his loyal followers have held impromptu history lessons for the myriad of passers-by, most of whom have been incredibly intrigued by the events in the normally quiet part of downtown Lancaster. “I’m not sure what all the hollerin’s about, but I don’t know if I wanna be a ‘New Columbian’ like that doctor is sayin’,” said Frank Odenwalt of King Street in Lancaster. The census poll conducted by ours news bureau indicates that The Friends of Columbus movement, in large part due to the extemporaneous oratories and educational pamphlets, is gaining momentum across the country.     When this reporter had the opportunity to talk with the outspoken leader of The Friends of Columbus, Dr. Tirado reiterated points that he had enumerated previously in Washington, D.C. last fall during the national press conference that hosted Columbus’ announcement of the suit. “We are not here as firebrands or traitors. We are simply supplying the cold, hard facts of the beginnings of this wonderful country. The Americanites are holding onto empty ideals and lukewarm patriotic feelings; The Friends of Columbus are interested in the good name of Christopher Columbus being given the recognition that it deserves.” Needless to say, in this present age of political correctness gone to extremes, Dr. Tirado’s faction is encountering heavy cross fire from some political juggernauts such as the ACLU and even the much traveled women’s rights group, N.O.W. has added its own brand of fire to this social powder keg.     “The Friends of Columbus and Mr. Columbus himself are terribly misguided and blind to the atrocities that have been so barbarously committed upon not only the Native American populations but also the women of this country thanks to the ‘gold, God, and glory’ mentality that was brought here by Mr. Columbus and perpetuated by the likes of The Friends of Columbus,” a spokesperson for the Lancaster chapter of N.O.W. stated outside the courthouse yesterday afternoon. Rhetoric like this has been rampant, if not downright infectious, since the October 1992 Quincentennary celebration (or anti-celebration) of Columbus’ discovery of the New World.     Though much aligned and mistrusted, especially after another earlier landmark court case held by the University of Minnesota’s Human Rights Center in October of 1992 where Columbus was tried and convicted by a jury of his peers for slavery, torture, murder, forced labor, kidnapping, violence and robbery (Williams), Columbus felt the time was right for him to make one final bid for what is rightfully his. An prosecution assistant authorized to speak on behalf of Mr. Columbus to HIST 392 News stated that “Mr. Columbus is currently in the process of appeals on the University of Minnesota case, and its verdict is inconsequential to the present dealings with Mr. Vespucci.” Meaning, Mr. Columbus and his heirs deserve the right to be heard in the court of law on the continent that he discovered.     Meanwhile, the defendant in this case, Amerigo Vespucci, is keeping a low profile as he has seemingly done throughout the course of our history. Thanks to his name, we are all Americans. Yet, interestingly, not a statue or street or city bears any distinguishable markings in his name or likeness. Who is this man and what did he do to deserve the honor of having two continents bear his name? Now as this trial of the millenium prepares to write, or rewrite, chapters in the history book of this young country, we find ourselves, for the first time ever, meeting our namesake, our silent hero, in the hallowed halls of justice.