ABOUT US
Before Democrats or Republicans, we were Columbians.
'Our Columbia' is a team of Columbian Patriots, dedicated to educating the public about the history, and legacy, of Columbia, the country AND the spirit - aka Miss Columbia, Lady Columbia, and/or Lady Liberty.
We're passionate about preserving Columbia's rich history, and sharing it with the community. As we present the most extensive and well-documented historical account of "Columbia" ever created, we will uphold the integrity and honesty of both our story as a nation - and her story as the people.
A LITTLE CONTEXT
Before we discuss 'Columbia' further, let's first take a moment to unpack another female personification of our country, "Amérique" (America). This was an allegorical figure created by other nations, primarily European, showing how 'rough' and 'barbarous,' our new country must be. These images were used largely as propaganda, to dissuade other nations interested in aligning with our new country views. Amérique (America) was likened to a female Native American (Indian American) with dark skin tones, adorned with a feathered headdress, often standing beside a large reptile (alligator or rattle snake), and wielding weapons, such as; a club, a spear, or a bow with arrows.
However, 'Amerique' was not the way the early settlers perceived themselves. They were still fighting many genuine Indians, in the 18th century, and didn't feel comfortable identifying with such an idealized personification. As tensions grew between the 13 colonies and Britain, the British 'Americans' wanted a different icon than what the Europeans had constructed for them. By the time of the Revolutionary War in 1776, her imparted characteristics had begun to wane. During the early 1800s, only few more 'Ameriques' were produced.
Unidentified Artist
The Female Combatants
Poster
1776, Etching.
Unidentified Artist
The Emblem of America
1800, Painting
London
ON TO COLUMBIA
Now with a new name, 'Columbia' would utilize the same symbols of liberty, and the general idea of a goddess. She was the creation of poets, and politicians, who wanted to refer to the young republic in language with all of the dignity conveyed by other nation's female effigies. The new deity then gained traction through the great patriotic song of the times, Joseph Hopkinson's 'Hail Columbia.' Simultaneously, 'Liberty' also emerged as an official name for the female personification of the nation, but mainly through government minted coins. However, throughout the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, Americans spoke almost interchangeably of Columbia and Liberty.
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In the 1790s, she sometimes wore the helmet of Minerva—goddess of wisdom, invention, and civic authority—and sometimes, ostrich plumes (Trend of the times). Neither of these attributes lasted... ​Columbia's personification is commonly recognized by her prideful spirit, Liberty (Phrygian) cap, a sword, a shield, often with a Liberty pole, sometimes with a laurel, an eagle, and broken chain links, and in most instances draped in the United States flag.
Please take a moment to review our timeline. We'll admire, and analyze, various iterations of Columbia's spirit using visual arts, music, poetry, and political commentary created over the centuries past, and present times. ​