Stupid but hopeful. Curious, politically homeless, always hopeful. I dont think that we should start childrens education by saying that the country is built on the genocide of a group and the enslavement of another. See how Columbus Day actually become a holiday and find out who celebrates it. Monday marks Columbus Day, in honor of Christopher Columbus but not all will be celebrating the Italian explorer. or redistributed. So partly, out of spite, here are a few reasons why Columbus Day shouldnt be celebrated. Columbus wanted to test this idea. 1. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. Why are we celebrating him? (2020, Aug 20). If the commemorations dealt at all with the impact of European exploration on the indigenous civilizations already flourishing in these discovered lands, it was often fleeting. Columbus went to live in Portugal. He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. The plan was to join up once theyd gotten the backing they needed. We need to own it. 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. Many states celebrate both. He even made his crew swear an oath that Cuba was not an island but indeed the mainland of Asia, and that China could be reached overland from there. Columbus may have recorded that he "found" America, but he was a. mass murderer. October 11, 2021 5:00 am. It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. Hence, the inducement cited above.). After a few weeks sailing, he landed in the present day Bahamas. Architecture of the Floating (Or Sinking) City: How Was Venice Built? Yes, we have a federal holiday on Christmas, but Ill put that in a special category (which well call religious.). Washington, D.C., has joined hundreds of U.S. cities in seven states in replacing Columbus Day with a day to celebrate Native Americans. Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. Legal Statement. Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers treated the Native Americans. In a letter that has been preserved among his personal historical records, Columbus wrote that God inspired him to make a deal with his Spanish crew and stake his life on it. Its 2020 people. It is true that the conquest of the Americas by Europeans, which starts with Columbus, was very ugly, and involved a lot of violence. CONTACT US: Among the reasons cited for the Columbus Day federal holiday was that it was being observed in 40 states at the time. In fact, there is proof that the Chinese, Greeks and Italians, all explored America before Columbus. James Loewens Lies My Teacher Told Me, and his shorter Lies My Teacher Told Me about Christopher Columbus, critique how textbooks have covered Columbus. Columbus and his men raped and mistreated the slaves, especially young girls through ages nine and ten. The next obvious question is: well, if thats not his name, what were the names of his famous ships? And Bart was left behind on the cutting room floor of history. Yeah. Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. your personal assistant! Indeed, the promise of the West has delivered freedom and bounty such as humanity has never known. While there is plenty to criticize about Columbus, and what followed his arrival, I think this movement is missing the point. An angry mob decided to drag them. Yet, what is rarely discussed is the barbaric genocide perpetrated by Native American tribes from Mexico to Peru against other Native Americans before the arrival of Europeans. Within the Italian community, Columbus Day symbolizes the legacy of their ancestors who immigrated to America, overcame poverty, language barriers, and above all, discrimination. Likewise, Thomas Jefferson, also a slave owner, should be remembered for writing one of the most brilliant documents in the history of mankind, the Declaration of Independence, which contributed greatly to the ending of slavery and segregation in the United States. Along and through History, conquerors have had violent behaviour. This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. Bring them to the light, if you would. Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo, California State University - Los Angeles, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, California State University, Channel Islands, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico San German campus, Keiser University - Latin American Campus, London School of Economics and Political Science, California State University of Sacramento, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, William Paterson University of New Jersey. Those left were forced to work in mines and plantations. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day. Always trying. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? The act moved Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and the new Columbus Day holiday to Mondays. Understanding the Mysterious Kingdom of Shambhala, Alleged Sighting of the Mythical Manananggal in the Philippines Causes Public Anxiety, The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: Ancient Origins of the Often Used Legend Part I, The Evidence is Cut in Stone: A Compelling Argument for Lost High Technology in Ancient Egypt, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort. If we have a holiday honoring somebody, the question on everyones mind should be, Why are we honoring them? Because of his voyages to America, other great explorers ventured across the Atlantic and in under one hundred years, settled the new world. His father was a wool weaver, and cheese stand owner. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. And thats even if you discount the fact that native peoples lived in these places all along. Published: October 7, 2021 8.23am EDT Updated: October 7, 2021 9.53am EDT. Christopher Columbus was a murderer, rapist, and thief who did not actually find America, but indeed only visited a land where Native Americans have already been living. Columbus made a total of four voyages to the Americas, visiting the following places (and sighting many others): Interestingly, Columbus never set foot in modern-day USA, nor anywhere else in North America. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. And the D.C. City Council recently approved a measure to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. The Lefts hatred of Columbus is predicated on the idea that he represents the tyrannical, western force that colonized the Americas at the expense of those already living here. The statue of Christopher Columbus remains encased in a wooden box on Marconi Plaza Aug. 12, 2020, as the sun sets on the day the Philadelphia Art Commission voted to remove it and store it while the city deliberates on a new permanent home for the controversial monument. Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. Indigenous Peoples Day: Why it's replacing Columbus Day in many places. Many people believe that Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday because Christopher Columbus was a terrible person. Throughout the history of civilization, the concept of the apocalypse has been ever present, in one way or another. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The population of the Taino decreased by over two hundred thousand within sixty years. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. Hi! Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? He is an inspiration to many young people. Dating back around 200 years, the nonreligious had been adverse to this celebration. The Knights of Columbus lobbied state legislatures to legalize the holiday. Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert. (He did follow his big brother to the Caribbean two years later.). Zachary Mettler works as a staff writer and communications liaison for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family. (He had plenty of different ships on subsequent voyages.). 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 97 students ordered this very topic and got Below are five reasons why Columbus Day celebrants can hold their head high in 2019 rather than kowtow to guilt-based politics. Itd be ludicrous to say that Columbuswasnt guilty by association. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. And maybe only one reason to celebrate. (Only 23 states give their workers a paid day off to celebrate it, according to a 2013 Pew poll). Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. The Andy Griffith Show Remains a Masterclass in Leadership and Life, Births in Japan Fall to Record Low Amid Catastrophic Population Decline, Foretelling Worlds Future. When Columbus arrived in 1492, he enslaved the Natives, and took control over their way of life, and also made his way into the Caribbean Island. In his free time, Mettler enjoys reading, running, hiking, backpacking, and walking his dog. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. So before waving the US flag in celebration of a criminal who did not discover America, spare a thought for the millions of Native Americans who were murdered as a result of Christopher Columbus arrival on American soil. All rights reserved. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. Columbuss Native American slave trade morphed into the African slave trade by the mid-16th century. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Of course, Christopher Columbus was Italian, and his day . Without Columbus, the age of exploration wouldnt have been inspired in the way that it was, and has a vital place in American history. In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. The things Columbus did such as capturing the Natives as slaves just made him the man of his time, saying everyone did this, and that he needed the help anyway. Henry IV of Spain known as "The Impotent" for his weakness, both on the throne and (allegedly) in the marriage chamber died in 1474. Captivating History, Christopher Columbus: A Captivating Guide to the Life of an Italian Explorer and His Voyages to the Americas, Captivating History, 2020 Columbus Day, which is celebrated today in the USA and honours the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World, is an example of outdated and misguided history. I think there is a ton of potential in celebrating an Indigenous Peoples' Day, but what that is, what it looks like we need to start with asking indigenous folks to define it. Medieval Sea Monster Was Likely a Whale, New Research Reveals, What is Shambhala? 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. There are many good reasons as to why Columbus Day is such a controversial holiday. Cambridge, MA 02138, Challenges? It was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that designated the second Monday of October (Columbus Day) as a national holiday in 1971. Nefer Say Nefer - Was Nefertiti Buried in the Valley of the Queens? In a racially equal world, Columbus shouldn't be celebrated. On his third, he named Trinidad and landed in present-day Venezuela. Since then, its spread across the nation with increasing speed, as more than 60 cities from Maine to Washington have supported the idea. Ahh, well, semantics. Ahh, well, brothers will be brothers. All islands I would love to visit on a single trip. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. The United States and several Latin American countries celebrate Columbus Day to recognize Christopher Columbus striking land in the Americas and the mixing of European and Native American Cultures. Alaska is said not to celebrate the day because it falls too close to Alaska Day (Oct . If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? Diseases were spread and were not able to be resisted by the sick slaves. Why does learning about what Columbus did to Native Americans still matter today? Until the mid-1700s, Christopher Columbus was not widely known among most Americans. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. Read more TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer by Staff Reports Some committed suicide to avoid subjugation, others fled, but many rebelled. To begin, some people think Columbus is a hero because he found America, which is not true. original papers. Lately a lot of people have been putting down Western civilization, but its spread is one of the greatest things thats ever happened to humanity. He was a man of faith for whom God provided, and his discovery led to the eventual establishment of the Western values we know and seek to preserve today. The con for Columbus Day written by Elliot Lassitter. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) is generally considered to be a great explorer during the Age of Exploration . When he was only 23. he had the idea of going to India, China and Japan. It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. As I said in the beginning of this piece, Columbus did not discover what would become North America. Columbus and St. Croix And in general, we want to students to engage with controversy. Yes, this guy didnt commit genocide. Columbus day is a national holiday that many countries (not all) in the USA celebrate to mark the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Columbuss men also killed off slaves whenever needed. Sure, Chris had been sailing since age 14. According to documents 6 " Christopher Columbus was the greatest, because he accomplished the most against the highest odds before Columbus ' time all European voyages had followed coastlines, or cross open seas to land previously known or at . For the first time this year some calendars don't mention Columbus Day but says October 11 is Indigenous Peoples' Day. But its not recognized in Los Angeles, where I live. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. Between 1482 and 1485 Columbus traded along the Guinea and Gold coasts of tropical West Africa and made at least one voyage to Elmina, Ghana. After all of this, he made four transatlantic voyages to the new world beginning with his first famed voyage in 1492. Now that the truth is becoming more widely known, people are pressuring their communities to stop celebrating Columbus Day. Interests? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. He decimated the native population. According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti. We asked Eric Shed, a veteran history teacher who now directs the Harvard Teacher Fellows Program, to share perspectives on the changing currents around Columbus Day and the challenges of learning and teaching history, as distinct from celebrating it. Furthermore, Columbus continued to enslave Natives and abuse their nation, damage their environment, and their rights as humans. Mettler earned his Bachelors degree from William Jessup University and is an alumnus of the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation. Yet, despite all the gruesome sacrifice and slavery, some still wish to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. He completely miscalculated the distance between Europe and Japan however, estimating it to be around 2,000 nautical miles when the real distance is closer to 11,000. Indigenous Peoples' Day now replaces Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 communities. Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. Columbus Day is a United States federal holiday that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. In this 2014 piece, " Columbus Day, or 'Indigenous Peoples' Day'? Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. Though it has its controversies, Columbus day should be celebrated. Adults Especially Gen Z Identifying as LGBT. (See, Columbus promised Ferdinand and Isabella so much, including gold, they had given him 17 ships and well over a thousand men for his second voyage! Columbus should not be celebrated, let alone given a day. Every Columbus Day I am forcibly reminded of my hatred for Christopher Columbus. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. As of September 2019, nine states (Alaska, Minnesota, Vermont, South Dakota, New Mexico, Oregon, Maine and Louisiana) have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day. A lot of depopulation was caused by suicides, including some parents killing their own children to prevent them from living and growing up as a slave. We think of Columbus Day as a heroic and triumphant day ever since 1970, when the holiday was legally made a national holiday. What Columbus did next was nothing less than shameful. In fact, the result of Columbuss voyages was mass, Columbus didnt do too well as a governor of these new lands. Chris wasnt a bad guy right? The holiday celebrates . A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! He finally ended up getting a sponsorship with the Spanish crown, and was off to explore the world. It is known by many as to what had happened after Americas discovery. Large Increase in U.S. Ironically, the District of Columbia is named after, you guessed it, Christopher Columbus. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! So why Columbus Day? With all that, there are reasons to celebrate Columbus Day. With three boats, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, he set out in search of a better trade route to India. He shows the effect of willpower and perseverance. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. I think history teachers have a responsibility to prepare students to comment critically and participate critically in the discourse about who we are honoring, who we are celebrating, and how we are doing it. If the world was round, this was possible, he thought. If Columbus had been an Englishman, or a Frenchman, would have they behaved in a different way? 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. Most of the time when injustices occurred, Columbus wasnt even there. 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. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. Like Andrew Jackson, Christopher Columbus is a historical figure who is celebrated as a mythical hero. Truth of Discovery Normally, the notion of discovery means encountering a place or an idea for the very first time.. This claim has been proven recently as Viking Leif Ericksson was the first European to discover the New World, about 500 years prior to Columbus' famous journey. While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . Columbus was definitely a brave and courageous (and lucky) captain, but his navigational skills left a lot to be desired. The Chilling Mystery of the Octavius Ghost Ship, Film Footage Provides Intimate View of HMS Gloucester Shipwreck, Top 8 Legendary Parties - Iconic Celebrations in Ancient History, The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth Behind the Black Legend (Part II), The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth behind the Dark Legend (Part I), Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan, Dizzying Inca Rope Bridges Were Grass-Made Marvels of Engineering, Two Centuries Of Naval Espionage In Europe, Research Confirms That 20% of the Neanderthal Genome Can Be Found In Modern Humans, The Curious Apparitions of Pagan Goddesses to the German Knights Templar, The origins of human beings according to ancient Sumerian texts, Evidence that Noahs Ark Landed on a Mountain 17 Miles South of Ararat, Library in Stone: The Ica Stones of Professor Cabrera Part I, Two Sides to Every Story: The North American Martyrs Shrines and Indigenous/ Roman Catholic Relations, The Origins of the Faeries: Encoded in our Cultures Part I, Curse of the Buried Pearl: The Hunt for Ancient Treasures Part I, The Enigma of the Shugborough Inscription, Christopher Columbus: Master Double Agent and Portugals 007, Roman Sword discovered off Oak Island radically suggests Ancient Mariners visited New World 1,000 years before Columbus. But our work was to exasperate, ravage, kill, mangle and destroy; small wonder," -Bartolome Las Casas, 1527. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. We dont know exactly where this is, but its most likely one of the islands that make up modern-day Bahamas. While deprivations did occur, Columbus was quick to punish those under his command who committed unjust acts against local populations Columbus did not engage in the savage acts that have been pinned on him., In addition, Columbus strictly told the crew not to do things like maraud, or rape, and instead to treat the native people with respect. Elliott Lassitter and John WirtOctober 26, 2017. Columbus Day was supposed to recognize the greatness of all of America's people, but especially Italians and Native Americans. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. Most of us can remember the day when Americans still seemed to like Christopher Columbus. Sure, he was addicted to opium, but a lot of people were at the time. Although many people have adopted Columbus day as "Indigenous People's Day," many people will not agree that we should also have a holiday . . This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. But Columbus couldnt deliver on the gold claim. Poll shows most Americans want to celebrate Columbus Day. Top 5 Reasons NOT to Celebrate Columbus Day And 1 Reason To History comes with an agenda. Everything that he did sounded like it was so whimsical and as a young child yearning for an adventure I idolized him. It is claimed by these people that the enjoyment and simplicity of Columbus day is almost a mask or distraction to divert the people from the many indigenous lives lost after the discovery of the New World. Lastly, I would contend that historical figures should be honored by their great achievements, and not their mistakes or weaknesses. How many countries award holidays to non-natives? This conflict between reality and fiction is what makes Columbus Day one of the most controversial holidays in America. And Erickson was certainly as European as Columbus (at least in todays geographical terminology.) Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. America is celebrating. Even though Eratosthenes (Greek mathematician living in Alexandria, Egypt, Columbus never discovered anything. 3.Two Reasons Why Columbus Day Should Not be Celebrated; 4.Should Christopher Columbus Day Be Celebrated Essay Example; 5.Columbus Day Is Not Worth Celebrating - GradesFixer; 6.Why Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated? He would have peoples ears and noses cut off as punishments. I'm not the only Italian American on board with ditching the holiday. So, no, Columbus did not discover the New World.. hen, on his fourth, final voyage, he landed at present-day Panama. Columbus Day, which is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year, has become a controversial subject for many people. "It's difficult to think there exists a site anywhere with a higher concentration of cave art.". Its Cristoforo Colombo. The holiday is typically observed on the second Monday in October. Their spears are made of cane. He cheekily claimed that he had spotted land a few hours before Triana and Pinzo, but that he hadnt said anything in case it was a false alarm. I doubt it. But I think considering the fact that Columbus also enslaved a group of people who were otherwise peaceful to him should be noted. When Columbus landed on the island of Guanahani in 1492, North and South America were . The evil deeds of Columbus far outweigh the few accomplishments he achieved. But as far as I know, no U.S. landfall. And thanks for reading this. However, it was his brother, the cartographers idea to sail West. Columbus Day's only silver lining may be found at historically significant sites throughout the Caribbean that connect us to history. Historical Figures Should Be Viewed in Light of Their Greatest Achievements, Not Their Worst Mistakes. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. Colorado did so on April 1, 1907. Both in an effort to secure funding for their expedition. Upon arriving in the New World, one of the first observations Columbus made with regards to the indigenous people was the following: They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. But since the 1990s, a growing number of states have begun to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day - a holiday meant to honor the culture and history of the people living in the Americas both before and after Columbus' arrival. I think there is a ton of potential in celebrating an Indigenous Peoples' Day, but what that is, what it looks like we need to start with asking indigenous folks to define it. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. As a result, in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Columbus Day into law as a way to celebrate the hero who changed the world (Bragdon 12). In recent years, the conversation has become more nuanced, as educators and people across the country have begun to explore the many reasons why celebrating Christopher Columbus is problematic: the violent abuse of indigenous peoples, the launch of the transatlantic slave trade, and the introduction of a swath of lethal diseases to an unprepared continent. For example, a neighbor taking a stick and beating your child as some kind of punishment might have been perfectly fine at one time. But its hard for children to understand that someone who they were taught to idolize is a bad guy.