Columbus Day "Cristoforo Colombo" naming after him many civilian and military ships, like the ocean liner SS "Cristoforo Colombo". Since 1987, Spain has celebrated the anniversary of Columbus's arrival in the Americas as its "Fiesta Nacional" or "National Day." Previously Spain had celebrated the day as "Día de la Hispanidad", emphasizing Spain's ties with "Hispanidad", the international Hispanic community. In 1981 a royal decree established the "Día de la Hispanidad" as a national holiday. However, in 1987 the name was changed to "Fiesta Nacional", and October 12 became one of two national celebrations, along with Constitution Dayon December 6. Spain's "national day"
Columbus, Ohio from Columbus distinguished themselves during World War I. Six Columbus pilots, led by top ace Eddie Rickenbacker, achieved forty-two "kills" – a full 10% of all US aerial victories in the war, and more than the aviators of any other American city. After the war, Port Columbus Airport became the axis of a coordinated rail-to-air transcontinental system that moved passengers from the East Coast to the West. TAT, which later became TWA, provided commercial service, following Charles Lindbergh's promotion of Columbus to the nation for such a hub. Following the failure of a bond levy in 1927 to build the