''Columbia''

By Crusader1307

Another early form of symbolism to denote The National Personification of The United States of America, ''Columbia'' is dated to 1730. The name was derived from that of Christopher Columbus (the 15^th Century AD Italian Explorer given credit for discovering The Americas). She is seen as the earliest image used to identify America. Prior to ''Columbia'' – a Native American ''Princess'' was used (Spain and England) very much the same way.

During The American Revolution against Great Britain in the late 18^th Century AD – ''Columbia'' was seen as the ''counter'' to England's ''Britannia''. ''Columbia'' was often portrayed as ''a Young Girl'' in contrast to the ''Older, Matronly Woman'' as viewed by The American Colonists. A Myth developed after The War in which the name ''Columbia'' was almost chosen as the official name of America (in lieu of The ''United States''. With the development of a Centralized Territory to regulate Government with the ''new'' Country – named for War Hero and later President George Washington, The City was named in His honor. However, to keep any one particular State from ''claiming Rights'' over it, The City was declared and named The ''District of Columbia'' (1790).

In 1789, ''Columbia'' again would rise to National importance – when Joseph Hopkinson wrote a musical piece known as ''Hail, Columbia''. Played as a March for The Office of The President of The United. Whereas The United States did not as of yet have a National Anthem – the song would become the impromptu ''National Anthem'' of The United States. It would remain such until 1931 – when The ''Star Spangled Banner' would officially become such. Technically, ''Hail Columbia'' is still used as a March for The Vice-President of The United States.

''Columbia'' would take precedence in most US military Conflicts throughout the 19^th Century. ''She'' was used in Political propaganda Art from The Mexican War of the 1840s through The Spanish-American War of the late 1890s. Although the image of ''Uncle Sam'' (another form of US Personification) was by this time forefront – ''Columbia'' was still used in concert. Her very ''name'' appears (to this day), throughout American Culture in the form of being used by Schools and Business etc. However, as a National Emblem, ''Columbia'' began to be seen as antiquated after World War I (to some degrees).

''She'' is traditional shown in Art as always Female. She is clothe in The Flag of The United States (made into a style of clothing similar to Ancient Greece or Rome). In Wartime, ''Columbia'' is often shown in Armor (Helmet, Shield and Sword) – also in Red, White and Blue Motif.