Why are we celebrating him? But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. As Columbus might have quipped, One good turn deserves another. Okay, he never said that, but his writings prove that he would not have been opposed to it in the least. And thanks for reading this. Across the USA you will find that there are more monuments dedicated to Columbus than anyone else. Every year on the second Monday of October, the United States celebrates Columbus Day. The West has its good and bad points, but its best ideasequal rights, freedom of religion, free speech, due process, open scientific inquiry, property rights and so onhave helped all people who adopt them. What were his actual contributions? Those are important questions we want to ask as citizens. | Select | norfolkdailynews.com, TOP 10 12 reasons why we should celebrate columbus day BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 10 reasons why pluto is not a planet BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 zach 13 reasons why BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 you know why these b love me baby lyrics BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 whyd you only call me when youre high lyrics BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why you treat me so bad BEST and NEWEST, TOP 9 why you so obsessed with me lyrics BEST and NEWEST, TOP 10 why you so obsessed with me gif BEST and NEWEST. During June 2020 Christopher Columbus statues were destroyed in seven American cities. Most slaves died en route to Spain. He gave hope across the land in dark times. In cities across the country there is a growing awareness of our collective and violent history and of the legacies that reverberate in our justice, health, and educational systems. Here are 5 reasons to celebrate Columbus Day on October 14, and to leave Indigenous Peoples' Day on August 9 where it belongs. As an anti-paean to a holiday most Americans hardly acknowledge (unless they get a day off), here are a list of reasons that we should remove Columbus Day from our list of federal holidays. He had many qualities that seemed to be admirable and a lot of people were proud of him. Even so, we never created Columbus Day to celebrate whatever evils he did, caused, or allowed. He took land for himself and created plantations and mines, where he forced natives to work for him as slaves, building his personal wealth (Article 2). Examine Columbuss "discovery" of America. It has since not only become a patriotic American holiday, but also one that is celebrated as a day of pride and heritage by Italian-Americans, as Columbus' ancestry was Italian. document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s); The Pledge of Allegiance was written in honor of the first voyage that he did and to celebrate his 400th anniversary. Legal Statement. 5. Not many civilizations were safe when invaders arrived, from Assirians to Vikings; from Gengis Khan to the Roman Empire; from the Jewish general Joshua to the colonial British Empire. The discovery made. var s=document.createElement("script"); s.type="text/javascript"; In fact, from what we know, he was a cruel, selfish person who killed a lot of people. As these texts have become popular, and more history teachers have read them, more students have learned a more accurate account of Columbus from a younger age. The Zinn Education Project also includes a bunch of primary sources related to Columbus, such as writings by Bartolom de La Casas. and terrible, however, we cannot forget that violence went both ways and that is how history has sadly, largely worked for thousands of years. Christians are looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ! True history is: man proposes. Many people say that Columbus was a brave, determined man, and that he was honorable for exploring an area that no one had gone to before. They are blaming Columbus for the things he didnt do, Delaney explains. They found the only way to fully understand their present was to look back and remember their past. Did you know that we have over 70,000 essays on 3,000 topics in our 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. In his diary, he mentioned gold 75 times just in the first two weeks, alone (Katz 13). What does your state celebrate? Indigenous people are experts in sustainable living. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The Isle of Pines Mounds: A South Pacific Mystery Solved? There are also theories that theIrisharrived far before the Vikings, and that the Chineseand Polynesians may have also visited the Americas before Columbus. He had many qualities that seemed to be admirable and a lot of people were proud of him. The importance of exposing students to the many truths about the controversial explorer. 7 Child Monarchs from History and How They Changed the World, The Chilling Mystery of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a Wendigo? -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. 5. Before I get into the "why we shouldn't celebrate Columbus day," Im going to explain why we do. What resulted was genocide, rape, mutilations and a variety of other atrocities. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. There were already people living wherever he landed. The Plague of Athens Killed Over a Quarter of the City's Population. Published 2:18 pm Tuesday, September 28, 2021. Still, he was later pardoned by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain after serving just six weeks in prison and had a fourth voyage subsidized. (Sarcasm intended.) Here are a few reasons Fox News, 9.We should celebrate Columbus Day not Indigenous Peoples Day, 10.Should Columbus Day be celebrated? The second Monday in October is celebrated nationally as Columbus Day, which has been a federal holiday since 1937. For starters, Christopher Columbus didnt discover anything. The Israelites erected several such monuments throughout their history. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. How can you discover a land that ALREADY HAS inhabitants?! And, while we celebrate Columbus Day, we can learn from history and also take time to honor Native Americans. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. The Mysterious Man from Taured Evidence for a Parallel Universe? 'Green Card Warrior' Nick Adams weighs in on 'Fox & Friends First.'. April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. People might think that they might have had easy sailing but actually it was just the opposite. Stay Out of the Water: Does a Prehistoric Shark Still Live in the Ocean? Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World in 1492 has been celebrated throughout history and across both the Americas and in Spain. Samuel Eliot Morison, in his book "Admiral of the Ocean Sea," describes the Spanish encounter with this charming group: The searching party . Let us help you get a good grade on your paper. Worshipping great men has been a dominant way of looking at history. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. In the early morning hours of the third day on October 12, the lookout . Some people say that Columbus Day is the "beginning of cultural exchange between America and Europe (Article 4) but Columbus wasn't the only explorer to land in the New World. Paul reminds us in Romans 15, For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Americans need to learn from our history. Columbus captured natives and started a slave trade, even though they had been peaceful and kind to him. Right now, across the country, cities and schools are faced with the question, Should we celebrate Columbus? Were facing similar questions about how we commemorate the confederacy and the Civil War. Yes, Columbus exposed the native peoples of the Americas to many atrocities, but you cannot apply the ethics of 2012 to the ethics held by people who lived in 1492. 6. Why is this? For the first time this year some calendars dont mention Columbus Day but says October 11 is Indigenous Peoples Day. "Talk of an . 7 Legendary Cryptids that Turned Out to Be Real! While some view Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian-American heritage, others see it as a celebration of European exploration and colonization. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. Italian heritage. For example, in the United States, Columbus Day occurs every year on the second Monday of October, to roughly correspond with Columbus' arrival on his first voyage. This federal holiday commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. 20 University Rd., 6th Floor The United States celebrates Columbus hardcore every year and children are taught all about his legacy, but he never actually stepped foot in North America. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. (Though it should be noted a large portion of the deaths of Native Americans was due to disease, not violence--an inevitable consequence of Old World illness in New World soil. Take advantage of Columbus Day sales Turns out, Columbus wasn't such a stellar guy. On his return trips to . Should columbus day be celebrated Rating: 6,1/10 1199 reviews. Did the Yuan Dynasty's Use of Paper Money Cause Hyperinflation? Columbus and St. Croix The natural world has many wonders. All scientific facts written in the Bible hundreds of years before man discovered them have been proven to be correct. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first voyage. Historical knowledge can help students create an argument to answer those questions. Thirteen years later South Dakota became the first state to do away with Columbus Day, replacing it with . Order custom essay Should We Celebrate Columbus Day? And Erickson was certainly as European as Columbus (at least in todays geographical terminology.) Scholars Rather or not you disagree with Columbus Day you can still take advantage of the Columbus Day sales. We should not celebrate Columbus Day because Columbus was selfish, treated natives very poorly, and he never even landed on America. Why is Columbus Day being renamed? A Traveling Gown With History Goes On Display, Christopher Columbus wasnt American! Currently 22 States dont celebrate Columbus Day Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. So why should we keep referring to Columbus as an Italian hero? Poll shows most Americans want to celebrate Columbus Day. Once we do this, Columbus Day can be a truly inclusive holiday. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. Christopher Columbus is revered as the conqueror of the new world; but many people have a different view of his accomplishments. The Beast with an insatiable Hunger for Human Flesh, The Awe-Inspiring Karnak Temple Complex and Vatican of Ancient Egypt. From "Teaching Tolerance" Directions: Your written or oral response is required on the bolded sections of this document. Harvard Graduate School of Education Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. It is much more fitting for us to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day since indigenous peoples were here in the U.S. been before anyone else. Get in touch! By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. If you dont like it, well kill you.) Besides that, there is ample evidence of Leif Erickson and his fellow Vikings landing in Newfoundland/Labrador around five centuries earlier. This indicated that the person didn't have to bring him anymore gold; at least for a while. John Smith, and William Bradford had many stories to tell during their explorations of the new world. Italian America Magazine Freelance Guidelines, National Education and Leadership Awards Gala. For more information on Columbus Day, check out Columbus: Fact vs. Fiction. Like Columbus, they claim religion to gain support. Not only was Columbus not the discoverer of America, he was also a malicious, egotistical person. Columbus heard stories of them on his first voyage and bumped into them on his second. And Washington, D.C., this week renamed the holiday, pending congressional approval. While it isnt spotless, to pretend something didnt happen, or to degrade the forefathers who created our remarkable nation, is counterproductive and dangerous. Due to the debates about Columbus Day and how some people feel about him, 22 states dont celebrate it. They pit our government against itself and us against our government. The Iliad can provide new insights on the role of motherhood among the ancient Greek gods, and by extension, amongst ancient mortal Greek women themselves. That year, President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus Day a legal holiday. ). And maybe only one reason to celebrate. He took a chance along with all of the people on board with him. They reject the idea that it's a holiday about slaughter and enslavement. Christopher Columbus didnt even discover Guanahani (todays San Salvador Island) in 1492. After Columbus discovered America, a lot of the European immigrants decided to come. Without those contributions we might not see each other as equal or be free like we are today. Click here to sign the petition. Personally, I dont think we should celebrate Columbus Day. He was neither honorable, nor exemplary; he was a mass murderer, so we should not honor him with a holiday. Columbus came for the gold, spices, and slaves. His first impression of the Arawaks, one of the first peoples he encountered, was . You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! On his first trip in 1492, Columbus encountered the indigenous Lucayan Tano/Arawak on Guanahani (todays San Salvador Island in the Bahamas). History, in fact, is the story of conquest. It is a polka-dotted body-of-water that looks so bizarre you could be forgiven for thinking you were on an alien planet. Someone who has a holiday named after them should have made some very important contributions to history and have shown noble or admirable qualities as a person. Pedro (Peralonso) Alonso, Francisco, and Juan were integral to Columbuss voyages (other brother Bartolome was also a sailor). The last man to serve as King of Greece, Constantine II, passed away on January 10, 2023 in an Athens hospital from complications related to a stroke. Or better yet, follow him. The professional opinion of that day not only assured him of the impossibility of his sailing endeavor, but it also warned him that dragons and death awaited him beyond the charted waters. It involves really unpacking the past, looking for complications, and making a deep exploration into the people that made history happen, rather than just looking for a glossy overview. number: 206095338, E-mail us: #IndigenousPeoplesDay . Always trying. History already is moving us to a better place. 2. 10 minutes with: Explore how the human body functions as one unit in harmony in order to life //= $post_title Someone who has a holiday named after them should have made some very important contributions to history and have shown noble or admirable qualities as a person. For instance, they lay out what specific textbooks omitted about Columbuss involvement with the slave trade and genocide. Even though Eratosthenes (Greek mathematician living in Alexandria, Egypt, Columbus never discovered anything. It is perhaps worth revisiting the two distinct reasons why we celebrate Columbus Day in the first place, and why the cultural Left hates both of them. Christopher Columbus found the Americas, but today he. If they would have stopped sailing then they wouldnt have discovered America. Columbus is a hero 1 1.The Left Hates Christopher Columbus. Some argue against celebrating Columbus as a historical figure due to the violence and . Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the "New World" (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. @uknowhgse. While there is plenty to criticize about Columbus, and what followed his arrival, I think this movement is missing the point. Just as the country grapples with the meaning and problems of Confederate monuments, so too are schools, towns, and even whole states grappling with Columbus Day. Many are deciding to rename and refocus the holiday, choosing to call it Indigenous Peoples' Day to honor the people whose lives and cultures were irreparably damaged by the colonial conquest that the age of exploration ushered into being. The reason Columbus set sail on his epic journey in the first place was because he raped the 13-year-old daughter of a Spanish Duchess. When Columbus first landed on American soil he was met by the Arawak native Americans. One for every day of the year. Just bear in mind that the verb "colonize" and the terms "colony", and "colonial" derive from Columbus ("Colon", in Spanish spelling). All Rights Reserved. Columbuss Native American slave trade morphed into the African slave trade by the mid-16th century. Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated because he committed mass genocide, forced slaves, and wiped out an entire population. Originally designated to celebrate Christopher Columbuss discovery of America, post offices and banks are closed, and stores hold major sales. In October we celebrate the man who found America. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. Christopher Columbus wasnt even the first European explorer to arrive in the Americas! Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. Students need to grapple with these multiple perspectives in history and the not-so-pleasant aspects of our past. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. 1. "It's difficult to think there exists a site anywhere with a higher concentration of cave art.". "Endless testimonies.prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Many of us might not even be here today if he would not have discovered the new world. Columbus did not discover America, but his voyages began the Columbian exchange, a turning point in world history involving the massive transfers of human populations, cultures, ideas, animals, plants, and diseases. I am not saying that he was perfect. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. Would we look at the Statue of Liberty the same again if Columbus Day wasnt a federal holiday? He and his crew were greeted with smiles, gifts and food. Columbus is also used as a scapegoat for many other reasons. So, why should we celebrate Columbus Day if he wasnt the one who founded America completely and might not have been the perfect leader? It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first voyage. Home DNA testing has exploded in popularity in recent years, with millions of people around the world using these kits to learn more about their ancestry and genetic health risks. It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first voyage. A fact acknowledged by seamen then and now, Columbus was one of the best navigators and explorers the world has ever seen! Columbus Day recognizes the achievements of a great Renaissance explorer who founded the first permanent European settlement in the New World. You can use it as an example when writing Although his explorations were financed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Columbus was a native of Genoa, Italy, and over the years Italian . We all know that the ancient world was a violent place, but we often dont appreciate just how violent it was. I dont think its ever too young. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In fact, a new exhibition in Brazil features more than 100 artefacts dating back as far as 30,000 years ago, 18,000 years earlier than previously believed. Aside from the despicable acts that Columbus and his people committed, there is plenty of evidence to show that Columbus was not the first foreigner to arrive on the continent anyway. Because thats public history. The Italian navigator's three ships, sailing at the behest . Columbus Day is one of America s oldest holidays. As if . Celebrated in the U.S. on the second Monday in October, Columbus Day commemorates the discovery of the Western hemisphere by Christopher Columbus and the beginning of European colonization.. He wandered around islands in the Caribbean, stealing valuables, thinking he was in Asia. Columbus Personified the American Spirit Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. Christopher Columbus however, does not show many admirable qualities. However, despite his mistakes we owe him a lot for discovering the new world. Henry IV of Spain known as "The Impotent" for his weakness, both on the throne and (allegedly) in the marriage chamber died in 1474. Millions of people across the USA chose to honor Columbus and all that he accomplished. 150,000-Year-Old Pipes Baffle Scientists in China: Out of Place in Time? Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). However, to tear down his statue or other statues that are government property is a felony and you should be arrested and charged with the crime. Columbus never landed on mainland America (Article 3). In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to proclaim Columbus Day as a federal holiday. We all own it. Although Christopher Columbus is credited with discovering America, people had been inhabiting both North and South America for thousands of years before the 15 th century criminal explorer actually first set foot there. Columbus has been admired for a very long time. They brought their music, art, philosophy, medicine and many other things to America. The arrival of Columbus in 1492 marks the beginning of recorded history in America and opened relations between the Americas and the rest of the world. Northern Michigan University, 7.Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day? Again, what would happen to history if we all stopped celebrating it? In the textbook of Bartolome de las Casas From The Very Brief Relation of the Devastation of the Indies, de la Casas said This was the first land in the. It is on public record, that Columbus rewarded his soldiers by giving them Native Americans to rape. The disease that Columbus and his men brought to the New World were responsible for wiping out most of the population.