Many states celebrate both. (He had plenty of different ships on subsequent voyages.). Nevertheless, Italians claim him today and Columbus Day is a good chance to recognize what Italians have contributed to America, and the world. 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. With three boats, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, he set out in search of a better trade route to India. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Even the Iroquoian peoples, located in present Northeast United States, often took slaves of other tribes. This criticism had quickly faded over time, and was replaced by a more pressing issue; the improper treatment towards indigenous people. Chris went to Spain and Bart to France. Fine, fine But he did discover America right? 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. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. We dont want to expose young kids to graphic accounts of brutal treatment of Native Americans, but I think you want them to begin to question: What did this person do? After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. After a few weeks sailing, he landed in the present day Bahamas. Pre-Columbian civilizations from Mexico to Peru were nearly all responsible for brutal violence on a large scale long before Columbus arrived on the shores of the New World including human sacrifices, even of children, sometimes by tearing out the victims still-beating heart.. This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. Other times they would go and massacre an entire village. Christopher Columbus may have been a daring adventurer but he is not someone we want our kids to think of as a hero or role model. 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. Historical Figures Should Be Viewed in Light of Their Greatest Achievements, Not Their Worst Mistakes. Interests? And hes credited for marking the establishment of institutionalized slavery in the West Indies. I remember learning about Columbus as a young child and I was in awe learning about the explorer. Columbus Day's only silver lining may be found at historically significant sites throughout the Caribbean that connect us to history. In 1891, one of the largest mass lynchings in American history took place in New Orleans after nine Italians were acquitted of murdering the city's police chief. Every Columbus Day I am forcibly reminded of my hatred for Christopher Columbus. When Columbus first landed on American soil he was met by the Arawak native Americans. According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti. A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. Christopher Columbus, as it turned out, was responsible for widespread genocide; he permitted his men to rape, murder, mutilate and enslave indigenous people. Columbus Undertook Adventure for God and Country, After Columbus returned to Spain from his first voyage to the Americas in 1493, he wrote this in his letter to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella: They manifest the greatest affection towards all of us, exchanging valuable things for trifles, content with the very least thing or nothing at all. Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. (Only 23 states give their workers a paid day off to celebrate it, according to a 2013 Pew poll). Columbus Did Not Discover North America. While Columbus Day is not a widely celebrated holiday, the question of whether or not to celebrate it are definitely up for discussion. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. Within the Italian community, Columbus Day symbolizes the legacy of their ancestors who immigrated to America, overcame poverty, language barriers, and above all, discrimination. 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. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. It consisted mostly of about 12,000 public school students grouped into 20 regiments, each commanded by a principal. Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. He decided at an early age that this was not the life for him. Although Columbus Day remains a national holiday, given the criticism surrounding the day, some states and cities have opted to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day instead. Columbus was taking advantage of opportunities to find goods by getting the help of slaves. It is known by many as to what had happened after Americas discovery. Dating back around 200 years, the nonreligious had been adverse to this celebration. When he was only 23. he had the idea of going to India, China and Japan. After Columbus established the first Spanish colony at La Isabela, on the north coast of Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic), relations between the Spanish and the indigenous population quickly deteriorated. 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 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. Howell Public Schools Stance on Mask Mandate, In person school, more beneficial to kids. This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. European settlers not only introduced new diseases to the Americas that wiped out scores of Indigenous people, but also warfare, colonization, enslavement, and torture. As part of this plan, Spaniards aimed to convert native peoples to Christianity. Or maybe even plan to discover your own new-to-you islands! (BTW, you can find a list of over 40 of his articles here.). 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. Columbus Day is a United States federal holiday that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. If we have a holiday honoring somebody, the question on everyones mind should be, Why are we honoring them? The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. He initiated a turning point in our history. Exploring the story of Columbus postmortem voyages and the enduring mystery. Italian heritage. 97 students ordered this very topic and got About the author: Daniel Berenson contributes to Medium now and then in this case now with original and unique views on such things as squirrels, politics, fairy tales, history, and Spanish telenovelas. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. . In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. Today's woke perspective condemns Columbus Day as an unworthy holiday. 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. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. 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. Even perpetually leftward NPR admitted today . We are a hopeful species. If you still think Columbus Day is something worth celebrating, here are five other reasons why it isnt: After studying a handful of his favorite books, including the journals of Marco Polo, Columbus became convinced that it was possible to sail directly west to reach the Indies, as China, Japan and India were then known as in Europe. or redistributed. 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. But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. But our work was to exasperate, ravage, kill, mangle and destroy; small wonder," -Bartolome Las Casas, 1527. It involves grappling with multiple perspectives, a fundamental skill for historians. They were the original immigrants to the New World, and deserve their remembrance. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. Two reasons why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is that we shouldnt have a day where we glorify someone who hurt and enslaved innocent people (Native Americans) and because he destroyed the tranquility in the slaves homes and land with genocide and abuse. Many of those enslaved would die, and were then easily replaced by some brought from the Bahamas. "Endless testimonies.prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. 'Green Card Warrior' Nick Adams weighs in on 'Fox & Friends First.'. 2023 PapersOwl.com - All rights reserved. All islands I would love to visit on a single trip. So yeah, Christopher Columbus, upon closer inspection, is a terrible fellow to honor. If this is what it means to be civilized and our children are taught to revere Columbus and his heroic adventure, what hope is there for our future? History comes with an agenda. And most of all, I was taught of his discovering America. Large Increase in U.S. If we cannot honor anyone in human history that did not have flaws or imperfections, we cannot honor anyone at all. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . Zachary Mettler works as a staff writer and communications liaison for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family. Many books and videos show depictions of vast work forces hewing blocks of stone in the hot desert sun and carefully setting them into place. What are some Facts about Christopher Columbus? The war against the Western heritage. Specifically, he is credited with being the first European explorer since the Vikings to explore the New World for Europeans. Why should we celebrate a man who promoted and distributed so much violence when we can celebrate and honor the history of Indigenous people? Though it was disputed for many years, there is conclusive evidence that Neanderthals bred with modern humans (Homo sapiens). The population of the Taino decreased by over two hundred thousand within sixty years. While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . Most of the time when injustices occurred, Columbus wasnt even there. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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 . Columbus went on forth with a lot of violence, such as cutting off a slaves nose/hands to signify power against them. For a long time, Columbus discovery of America was an universally celebrated event, both in Europe and America. On his third, he named Trinidad and landed in present-day Venezuela. 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. To begin, some people think Columbus is a hero because he found America, which is not true. So, yes, in 1498 and 1502, he did reach the continental Americas. Christopher Columbus is just one of those English adaptations someone felt was preferable to pronouncing a foreign sounding name. So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). Columbus Day was invented by the Knights of Columbus in the 1930s when they were looking for a role model for school age children. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! Who Destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria? He would cut off the hands of people living in what now is Haiti for not bringing him enough gold every three months. Its Cristoforo Colombo. Not just Europeans, but everyone. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. And Im not one to turn down a national holiday for a day off work! There were already people living wherever he landed. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, University Overrules Student Senate Activists; Recognizes Conservative Club, A Mansion, Yemen, and Stories of Gods Goodness, Tennessee and Mississippi Pass Bills to Protect Children from Harmful Sex Change Procedures. It doesn't make sense for the United States to recognize this supposed Christian with ashow more content History, in fact, is the story of conquest. If we need a national holiday for the second Monday in October, lets at least honor an AMERICAN who hasnt been shown to be the prime mover in the torture/death/destruction of so many people. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. Over a dozen states and more than 130 local governments have chosen to not celebrate Columbus Day altogether or replace it with Indigenous Peoples' Day. 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. The Zinn Education Project also includes a bunch of primary sources related to Columbus, such as writings by Bartolom de La Casas. He wrote in his log: They brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things they willingly traded everything they owned 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. They would make fine servants With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). But I think considering the fact that Columbus also enslaved a group of people who were otherwise peaceful to him should be noted. Well, the tough thing about labeling someone as good or bad is the definitions change with the times. So, enjoy the day off and celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. Columbus should not be celebrated, let alone given a day. Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. ). Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. He led the way for future colonists to settle the United States. Top 5 Reasons NOT to Celebrate Columbus Day And 1 Reason To History comes with an agenda. Two reasons why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is that we shouldn't have a day where we glorify someone who hurt and enslaved innocent people (Native Americans) and because he destroyed the tranquility in the slaves homes and land with genocide and abuse. Based on my experience, I think its vitally essential that teachers engage kids as young as sixth grade in questions that really interrogate Columbus. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Some schools, cities, and institutions, such as the. Now that the truth is becoming more widely known, people are pressuring their communities to stop celebrating Columbus Day. In another case, some people think Columbus was a hero because he represents a leader who went far and beyond to find America. -- Celebrate Italians (though there is some question as to whether Columbus would have considered himself an Italian -- he was long thought to have been born in Genoa, then an independent city-state in what is now Italy, though everyone from Greece to Portugal to Poland have claimed him as their own). From early colonial exploration, to our push westward with manifest destiny, to our more modern quest to outer space and landing on the moon, Americans seem to have an innate desire to push the boundaries and discover new places. 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. Is Columbus' tomb in the Dominican Republic or Seville? . 1. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. Once we do this, Columbus Day can be a truly inclusive holiday. The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day, commemorating indigenous, aboriginal and native people.. On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. 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. 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. If it wasnt for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldnt have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. 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. "Reason: he may have discovered America before Columbus; Columbus is now commonplace as . 2. He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. And #5 gets worse. He would have peoples ears and noses cut off as punishments. Make sure your essay is plagiarism-free or hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs. 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. I am sure you are familiar with his legend which states that he was born in a manger surrounded by shepherds, about Christopher Columbus: Master Double Agent and Portugals 007, about Roman Sword discovered off Oak Island radically suggests Ancient Mariners visited New World 1,000 years before Columbus, For Sale In Britain: A Small Ancient Man With A Colossal Penis, Sacred Marvels: 17 Cathedrals That Will Take Your Breath Away, In Pictures, Egyptologists Reveal a Lost Chamber in the Great Pyramid With Cosmic Rays, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Unleashing the End of the World. (He did follow his big brother to the Caribbean two years later.). Columbus never even came to this country! 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? Then they would sail away together to claim their riches. And thats even if you discount the fact that native peoples lived in these places all along. Though he didnt discover America, he was the person to show the rest of the developed world that there was more far away lands. As a citizen, you need to be able to critically engage and reflect in a discourse around the public celebration and honoring of historical events and figures. A main argument for the idealization of the 15th century explorer is the idea that he was the first European to discover the Americas. 1. And most believe the idea came from their familys time in Iceland. Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. Indigenous Peoples' Day now replaces Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 communities. This is also apparent when he was trying to get sponsorships for the trips. Congress also believed the holiday would mark the contribution of immigrants to the United States. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. Why are we celebrating him? It is on public record, that Columbus rewarded his soldiers by giving them Native Americans to rape. 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. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. Which, of course, led to a demand for more slaves. Its 2020 people. Three other states New Mexico, Maine, Vermont followed suit this year. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Jarrett Stepman writes at The Daily Signal, While Columbus, and certainly his Spanish benefactors, had an interest in the goods and gold he could return from what they thought would be Asia, the explorers primary motivation was religious., 3. She likes thrifting, romance novels, cooking shows, and can often be found binging documentaries. Even after spending his whole career exploring the Caribbean, Columbus never at any point thought he had landed anywhere other than his intended destination, Asia. Columbus arrival is seen as the beginning of civilization in the Americas. Last updated by Patrick Bennett on 10/02/2021. They also show evidence that at least 12 other groups of people entered the Americas before Columbus. Don't know where to start? For example, a neighbor taking a stick and beating your child as some kind of punishment might have been perfectly fine at one time. And those multiple viewpoints may help engage students who might feel otherwise unrepresented in a history class, such as females and students of color. Pay the writer only for a finished, plagiarism-free essay that meets all your requirements. Sure, he was addicted to opium, but a lot of people were at the time. Cambridge, MA 02138, Challenges? We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. And yes, I know Columbus was at least in part a product of his brutish times and any nation who landed on Hispaniola in 1492 might have done similar things. See how Columbus Day actually become a holiday and find out who celebrates it. There are also theories that the Irish arrived far before the Vikings, and that the Chinese and Polynesians may also have also visited the Americas before Columbus. South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day, in 1990, electing to go with Native Americans' Day. And the D.C. City Council recently approved a measure to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. They would make fine servants. Read More In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. Sorry, Mr. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. 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. Or Napoleon Bonaparte Day, for that matter. Columbus Day is one of America s oldest holidays. Within a few decades, only a few hundred of an original native population of 300,000 remained. Mettler earned his Bachelors degree from William Jessup University and is an alumnus of the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation. He brought with him a letter from King Ferdinand to the Taino-Arawak Indians. Because of his voyages to America, other great explorers ventured across the Atlantic and in under one hundred years, settled the new world. Yet in the past few decades, something has changed. We think of Columbus Day as a heroic and triumphant day ever since 1970, when the holiday was legally made a national holiday. Thats when learning happens. He and his crew were greeted with smiles, gifts and food. How could we look at this from a different perspective? Henry IV of Spain known as "The Impotent" for his weakness, both on the throne and (allegedly) in the marriage chamber died in 1474. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day? What Columbus did next was nothing less than shameful.
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