In Columbus Fountain, how is the Saturday, June 8 of the Installation and dedication elucidated?
The Knights of Columbus headed up the dedication ceremony on June 8, 1912. It was estimated that at least 150,000 people were expected to attend the opening. Congress supplied an extra $6,000 for expanded police security, with the Knights requesting at least 500 officers to participate. $10,000 was contributed by the Knights of Columbus for the event decorations, supplies and general planning.A parade was planned starting at 3:00 pm featuring an estimated 50,000 participants for the civic portion. General Robert K. Evans, Chief of Military Affairs, served as the parade marshal, riding at the front of the parade. He was followed by the Army Contingent composed of the following (in order):Battalion of the US Engineers (Washington Barracks)
Battalion of the Coast Artillery Corps (Art. Dist. of Potomac)
Squadron of the Fifteenth Cavalry (Fort Myer)
Battalion of the Third Field Artillery (fort Myer)This was followed by the Navy and Marines with each its own band playing. The civic portion of the parade was composed of Knights of Columbus members from all over the country. The Civic portion went in the following order:All Fourth degree Knights
New York and New Jersey Knights
Pennsylvania Knights
Maryland and District of Columbia Knights
Virginia, West Virginia and all southern Knights
Illinois, Ohio and all western Knights. The North Dakota delegation brought Ignatius Court from the Devils Lake Sioux Tribe in complete wardress.
All other organizations (including several Italian societies)Five Parade floats depicting Christopher Columbus' trials and tribulations followed behind. The floats included:"Reception of Columbus" by King Ferdinand (Massachusetts delegation)
"Columbus before the King" (New York delegation)
The "Departure of Columbus" from Europe (Pennsylvania delegation)
The caravel in which Columbus set sail (The United Italian Society of Washington)
The landing (District of Columbia knights)
			
			
		
		
			
			
		
		
			
			
		
		
			
			
		
		
			
			
		
		
			
			
		
The route of parade was as follow: Pennsylvania Avenue NW to 2rd Street NW; north on 2rd Street NW to F Street NW; on F street NW to Massachusetts Avenue NW. This is where the reviewing stand stood, where President Taft and his guests reviewed the parade on Union Station Plaza. From Massachusetts Avenue to Stanton Square (later known Stanton Park) where the parade was reviewed by the Knights of Columbus.The unveiling of the artwork was done on a beautiful sunny day with thousands of citizens and visitors attending the ceremony. Secretary of State Philander Knox was the presiding officer. The ceremony followed this order. An invocation was given by Mgr. Thomas Shahan, the Rector of the Catholic University of America. It was followed by an address from Chief Justice Victor J. Dowling. The Marine Band played. Representative James McCreary, a member of the original Committee, talked about the significance of Christopher Columbus. Marquis Luigi Cusani-Confalonieri, Italian Ambassador to the United States pulled the cords after some remarks. As the Stars and Stripes fell away from the statue, a battery from the 3rd Field Artillery from Fort Myer fired a 21-gun salute. Wreaths were laid by several officials and organizations. President Taft provided the formal address followed by a selection of pieces performed by the Marine Band. All the ushers at the ceremony were all members of the Sons of the American Revolution.			
			
		
		
			
			
		
		
			
			
		
		
			
			
		
		
			
			
		
At 8:00 pm, a public banquet was held at the Convention Hall at the intersection of K Street NW and 5th Street NE with 1830 Knights of Columbus present. Plates were sold for $10. In honor of the visiting Knights, the District Building was illuminated from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm and an invitation issued to the public to visit the building from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Police forces were also on standby to accommodate this increase in population.At the same time, a firing of salute was taking place near the White House followed by fireworks from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. A large crowd gathered on The Ellipse to watch as stars and as the Santa Maria were displayed.
Sons of the American Revolution Secretary of State Robert K. Evans Third Field Artillery Marquis Luigi Cusani-Confalonieri 21-gun salute US Engineers The Ellipse Columbia Fifteenth Cavalry United States Fort Myer Victor J. Dowling District Building stern Devils Lake Sioux Tribe Coast Artillery Corps Mgr. Thomas Shahan Knights of Columbus Stanton Park Union Station Parade float Thomas Shahan Philander Knox 3rd Field Artillery Convention Hall Christopher Columbus Chief Justice