I remember learning about Columbus as a young child and I was in awe learning about the explorer. Its Cristoforo Colombo. The New World was discovered within the same timeframe as when slave trade had begun to arise. Twelve Reasons NOT to Celebrate Columbus Day - Medium These Natives are so nice, wed be crazy not to enslave them is one contentious quote by Christopher Columbus. Why the Woke Perspective on Columbus Day Is Wrong The war against the Western heritage. Since then, it's spread across the. Ahh, well, semantics. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. Columbus Day was a solution to a problem that most people didn't know existed. Though it was disputed for many years, there is conclusive evidence that Neanderthals bred with modern humans (Homo sapiens). It was still his idea to sail west, rather than east to hit the East Indies, right? We should celebrate Indigenous People's Day instead. 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 . However, his other two ships on his first voyage were the Santa Clara and the Gallega. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. Legal Statement. If it wasnt for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldnt have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. Alaska was second, in 2017, enacting Indigenous Peoples Day. So the discovery of the Western Hemisphere should go to Erickson, no? By 1555, there were zero full-blooded natives left on the island. What Columbus did next was nothing less than shameful. Yet, many continue to believe that America owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus. Trends are really hard to detect in a country as divided as ours, but Ive noticed two developments in my work teaching high school and teaching at Harvard. This is the Monster Celebrated on Columbus Day, The American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World, Multicultural View of Christopher Columbus Story, The Rise of Sexual Assault in the Military. Why We Shouldn't Celebrate Columbus Day - Her Campus In a racially equal world, Columbus shouldn't be celebrated. 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? Columbus and St. Croix 4 Reasons Why Columbus Day Is the Worst Holiday Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated - StudyMode Then they would sail away together to claim their riches. The natives were removed from their villages to work in gold mines and colonial plantations. The slaves were to do most of Columbuss dirty work, as he was highly demanding of gold, crops, and land, which caused many of the slaves to be malnourished and sick. 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. Columbus may have recorded that he "found" America, but he was a. mass murderer. Lets stop idolizing people in history who dont deserve it. Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. 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. Unfortunately, many irksome doings lay deep under the surface. Christopher Columbus, as it turned out, was responsible for widespread genocide; he permitted his men to rape, murder, mutilate and enslave indigenous people. This kept them from planting crops, leading to widespread starvation. Had he have given up, the world would be drastically different today. 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. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. I gave them many beautiful and pleasing things, which I had brought with me, for no return whatever, in order to win their affection, and that they might become Christians and inclined to love our King and Queen and Princes and all the people of Spain., Columbus usually treated the Native Americans kindly and brought them gifts in order to win their favor. Not just Europeans, but everyone. 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. We think of Columbus Day as a heroic and triumphant day ever since 1970, when the holiday was legally made a national holiday. Certain states and localities have moved away from celebrating Christopher Columbus, and now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. History comes with an agenda. And Washington, D.C., this week renamed the holiday, pending congressional approval. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) is generally considered to be a great explorer during the Age of Exploration . Well, the tough thing about labeling someone as good or bad is the definitions change with the times. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. . How could we look at this from a different perspective? . Some schools, cities, and institutions, such as the. She is a national writer at Her Campus and the former editor-in-chief of Her Campus Rowan. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. 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. ). Indigenous Peoples Day: Why it's replacing Columbus Day in many places. 2023 PapersOwl.com - All rights reserved. He finally ended up getting a sponsorship with the Spanish crown, and was off to explore the world. And #5 gets worse. Columbus Day: Here's Why We Celebrate It | Time Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers treated the Native Americans. Lets look at Columbus himself, to see if he meets the definition. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. With as simple of a description as that, one would wonder why so much controversy arises from a legal American holiday. The main reason Columbus Day draws opposition is because of how the explorer's arrival to the New World affected Indigenous people. Those left were forced to work in mines and plantations. Exploring the story of Columbus postmortem voyages and the enduring mystery. I believe thats the tact to take when looking at Chris. Howell Public Schools Stance on Mask Mandate, In person school, more beneficial to kids. So partly, out of spite, here are a few reasons why Columbus Day shouldnt be celebrated. He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. Columbus Did Not Discover North America. Medieval Sea Monster Was Likely a Whale, New Research Reveals, What is Shambhala? 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College, Who do we celebrate, and why? He would cut off the hands of people living in what now is Haiti for not bringing him enough gold every three months. Thats when learning happens. Indeed, the promise of the West has delivered freedom and bounty such as humanity has never known. He read books, studied the ocean, and made a name for himself. And Erickson was certainly as European as Columbus (at least in todays geographical terminology.) (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. And the D.C. City Council recently approved a measure to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. (2020, Aug 20). For any subject. The population of the Taino decreased by over two hundred thousand within sixty years. If Columbus had been an Englishman, or a Frenchman, would have they behaved in a different way? After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. They were the original immigrants to the New World, and deserve their remembrance. If it wasn't for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldn't have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. 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. If Columbus is Off Limits to Celebrate, so are Indigenous Peoples. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. Who Destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria? Why I proudly celebrate Columbus Day | Washington Examiner Market data provided by Factset. Columbus Day: Should it be considered a federal holiday? (Remember, they werent well versed in Spanish. Both in an effort to secure funding for their expedition. If we cannot honor anyone in human history that did not have flaws or imperfections, we cannot honor anyone at all. Even though Eratosthenes (Greek mathematician living in Alexandria, Egypt, Columbus never discovered anything. Columbus was definitely a brave and courageous (and lucky) captain, but his navigational skills left a lot to be desired. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. Along and through History, conquerors have had violent behaviour. He thereby claimed the lifetime pension for himself, cheating the rightful claimant out of both glory and a significant amount of money. Columbus was taking advantage of opportunities to find goods by getting the help of slaves. Columbus is often portrayed as a heroic figure who bravely discovered America, but this narrative ignores the fact that the Americas were already inhabited by millions of people before Columbus arrived. Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). This has started to cause a change, and many cities within America have taken on a remuneration for the controversial holiday. It is known by many as to what had happened after Americas discovery. Even the Iroquoian peoples, located in present Northeast United States, often took slaves of other tribes. It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. There are many good reasons as to why Columbus Day is such a controversial holiday. Many people believe that Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday because Christopher Columbus was a terrible person. Always trying. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a master navigator and admiral. He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. Of course, Christopher Columbus was Italian, and his day . He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. Columbus Day should be celebrated because Columbus had done a lot to get to the point of sailing. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. Why is Columbus Day being renamed? Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. The first reason for why Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated is because he committed mass genocide against the Native Americans. With three boats, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, he set out in search of a better trade route to India. We need to set the record straight early on. Columbus didnt know shit about geography! The American Indian Movement, among other groups, have gone as far as to state that the continuous celebration of this holiday is oppressive towards Native Americans. 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. While there is only limited knowledge of what pre-Columbus America was like, it did feature war, slavery, torture and plenty of brutality. With all that, there are reasons to celebrate Columbus Day. Columbus Day. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the "New World" (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. 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. And eventually hundreds of years of African slave trade but uhm, OK, fine, he was a monster. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. Columbus couldnt be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldnt return. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. 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. 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. 8 Reasons to Hate Columbus Day - The Daily Dot (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! 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. 5 Reasons to Celebrate Columbus Day as a Symbol of Diversity (Sarcasm intended.) Monday marks Columbus Day, in honor of Christopher Columbus but not all will be celebrating the Italian explorer. "Ignore the propaganda and instead remember Christopher Columbus with gratitude and a clear conscience. 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. Among the reasons cited for the Columbus Day federal holiday was that it was being observed in 40 states at the time. Columbus Day vs Leif Erikson Day: Who 'Discovered' America? | Time Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. Henry IV of Spain known as "The Impotent" for his weakness, both on the throne and (allegedly) in the marriage chamber died in 1474. Usable Knowledge Bring them to the light, if you would. 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. I'm not the only Italian American on board with ditching the holiday. Adults Especially Gen Z Identifying as LGBT. -- Celebrate the spread of Western civilization. And thats even if you discount the fact that native peoples lived in these places all along. 1. Its the responsibility of our school system to talk about Columbus as part of our work to prepare students to be citizens. Sure, he was addicted to opium, but a lot of people were at the time. Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and well deliver the highest-quality essay! 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. And now Ill claim it for us! In fact, that might have been a good neighbor, whereas today That neighbor would find themselves in jail. As part of this plan, Spaniards aimed to convert native peoples to Christianity. Ironically, the District of Columbia is named after, you guessed it, Christopher Columbus. Stupid but hopeful. Curious, politically homeless, always hopeful. For this nation's over 5 million American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian citizens, Columbus' voyages to the so-called New World inaugurated a long history of exploitation, enslavement, eradication, and erasure (and he himself initiated and sanctioned such actions). He should be remembered as the cruel and incompetent man he was who let his sailors rape and pillage the islands they landed on as they pleased. It not only invalidates the legitimacy of the natives people claim to their land but also projects the notion that the natives arent people at all. It consisted mostly of about 12,000 public school students grouped into 20 regiments, each commanded by a principal. 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. 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. 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. This was a sign of things to come. This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. 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. One of the few facts Americans remember from history is "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. Lastly, I would contend that historical figures should be honored by their great achievements, and not their mistakes or weaknesses. @uknowhgse. Specifically, he is credited with being the first European explorer since the Vikings to explore the New World for Europeans. Chris wasnt a bad guy right? He asked for 3 more days, and if land was not sighted, the crew could do with him as they wished. For example, a neighbor taking a stick and beating your child as some kind of punishment might have been perfectly fine at one time. Nevertheless, Italians claim him today and Columbus Day is a good chance to recognize what Italians have contributed to America, and the world. And most of all, I was taught of his discovering America. In this 2014 piece, " Columbus Day, or 'Indigenous Peoples' Day'? I doubt it. Most people know of the great construction achievements of the dynastic Egyptians such as the pyramids and temples of the Giza Plateau area as well as the Sphinx. The first complete mapping of a Neanderthal genome took place about five years ago - supporting the human-Neanderthal hook-up and also showing that Neanderthal DNA in humans is a thing. 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. Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? She likes thrifting, romance novels, cooking shows, and can often be found binging documentaries. Was Christopher Columbus a Hero or Villain? - Biography How many countries award holidays to non-natives? 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. So why Columbus Day? The truth about Columbus Day, explained | Salon.com The act moved Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and the new Columbus Day holiday to Mondays. Once we do this, Columbus Day can be a truly inclusive holiday. Many of those enslaved would die, and were then easily replaced by some brought from the Bahamas. He and his crew were greeted with smiles, gifts and food. Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. And to see that it is not the essence of Columbus, but rather part of the times. Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day? They also show evidence that at least 12 other groups of people entered the Americas before Columbus. To begin, some people think Columbus is a hero because he found America, which is not true. Why we should celebrate "Indigenous Peoples' Day" instead of "Columbus Despite not finding any of the places that his favorite books described (places in China, India and Japan), he convinced himself that they were just around the corner. His contract with the monarchs, called The Capitulations. It is true that the conquest of the Americas by Europeans, which starts with Columbus, was very ugly, and involved a lot of violence. Interests? We should stop celebrating Columbus - The Bona Venture 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. He brought with him a letter from King Ferdinand to the Taino-Arawak Indians. 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. 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. If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. And most believe the idea came from their familys time in Iceland. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. What are some Facts about Christopher Columbus? While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . Except, once Chris had succeeded in Spain, he didnt wait for his brother. 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. 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. 10 Reasons Why We Celebrate Columbus Day - TipTopTens.com But its not recognized in Los Angeles, where I live. Once upon a time, teachers celebrated Columbus Day by leading children in choruses of song about the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. In his free time, Mettler enjoys reading, running, hiking, backpacking, and walking his dog. The idea that Christopher Columbus discovered "The New World" is one of the great fallacies of history. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. According to, Columbus believed that he was playing a part in a divine plan to Christianize the world. Legal Statement. He is an inspiration to many young people. Columbus Day's Meaning For Italian Americans : NPR This is also apparent when he was trying to get sponsorships for the trips. We shouldn't be wasting our time on holidays that won't even. Destiny is currently enrolled in Columbia University's MFA Writing program. 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. Why Are We Still Celebrating Columbus Day? | Study.com Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide. Itd be ludicrous to say that Columbuswasnt guilty by association. Why We Celebrate Columbus Day | National Review In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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