Historical knowledge can help students create an argument to answer those questions. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. Despite the time that has passed, Columbus Day still remains a subject that most people would rather not think about. He and his crew were greeted with smiles, gifts and food. He thereby claimed the lifetime pension for himself, cheating the rightful claimant out of both glory and a significant amount of money. Growing up in St. Croix, I had a fairly typical U.S. education with fairly typical U.S. textbooks as far as I can remember. Had he have given up, the world would be drastically different today. Listen I know almost everyone celebrated in history enslaved people. And yet he is given an American holiday for discovering AmericaYeah Ill wait for that to make sense. With all that, there are reasons to celebrate Columbus Day. 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. Columbus and his men raped and mistreated the slaves, especially young girls through ages nine and ten. Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. Not just Europeans, but everyone. @uknowhgse. They have no iron. Columbus may have recorded that he "found" America, but he was a. mass murderer. She likes thrifting, romance novels, cooking shows, and can often be found binging documentaries. (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. In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. We are a hopeful species. Elliott Lassitter and John WirtOctober 26, 2017. When I got to high school and learned the truth about Columbus I felt betrayed. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. (BTW, you can find a list of over 40 of his articles here.). Columbus was definitely a brave and courageous (and lucky) captain, but his navigational skills left a lot to be desired. This is also apparent when he was trying to get sponsorships for the trips. Our writers can help you with any type of essay. Columbus Day was invented by the Knights of Columbus in the 1930s when they were looking for a role model for school age children. But as far as I know, no U.S. landfall. In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). The main reason Columbus Day draws opposition is because of how the explorer's arrival to the New World affected Indigenous people. 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. Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+! Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. There are many good reasons as to why Columbus Day is such a controversial holiday. What are some Facts about Christopher Columbus? Growing up, I wasnt exposed to this truth. A genocide happened in "the Americas," and it began with Columbus. Its like me walking into your house (with my gang and all of us armed to the teeth) and saying, Wow, look what I found here, boys. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. It involves grappling with multiple perspectives, a fundamental skill for historians. Columbus was taking advantage of opportunities to find goods by getting the help of slaves. -- 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). Columbus Day is one of the oldest holidays in the USA Observing Columbus Day started back in the 18th century. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Although it has been a tradition in the United States to recognize this day as a federal holiday for many years, whether Christopher Columbus' actions merit celebration is now being questioned, and rightly so . First of all, Christopher Columbus isnt even his name. 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. 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. Even perpetually leftward NPR admitted today . Furthermore, Columbus continued to enslave Natives and abuse their nation, damage their environment, and their rights as humans. Columbus day represents an exploration that lead to many discoveries and examples of leadership and control. I'm Amy, At times, they would make an example of a Native by cutting his hands off and tying them around his neck, then telling him to go and 'share the message' with the rest of his tribe. The con for Columbus Day written by Elliot Lassitter. Sure, he was addicted to opium, but a lot of people were at the time. This kept them from planting crops, leading to widespread starvation. 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. As I said in the beginning of this piece, Columbus did not discover what would become North America. This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. But you didnt discover a place that was already inhabited by a peaceful group of people. 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. Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. "This historically problematic holiday Columbus never actually set foot on the continental U.S. has made an increasing number of people wince, given the enslavement and genocide of Native. If we blame Columbus and the Spanish kings, we should also blame every other invader and conqueror in History. Columbus Day is a United States federal holiday that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Which, of course, led to a demand for more slaves. Why are we celebrating him? Consider how the first Columbus Day parade in New York was described in the newspapers. 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. He led the way for future colonists to settle the United States. Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated. The next obvious question is: well, if thats not his name, what were the names of his famous ships? Make sure your essay is plagiarism-free or hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a master navigator and admiral. He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. However, his other two ships on his first voyage were the Santa Clara and the Gallega. We should honor George Washington, the Indispensable man, for his military bravado and skilled leadership as our first president, even though he owned slaves. Areas within Texas and California began celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day as a means of pointing the spotlight on the natives, rather than Columbus himself. There, the brothers should have been exposed to the adventures of another explorer: Leif Erickson. If it wasnt for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldnt have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. 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. Pay the writer only for a finished, plagiarism-free essay that meets all your requirements. 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. Columbuss men used native girls as young as nine or ten as their sex slaves. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. Another reason why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is because it promotes a distorted view of history. Or maybe even plan to discover your own new-to-you islands! This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . The artefacts include cave paintings and ceramic art depicting animals, hunting expeditions and the daily lives of people who lived around the Serra da Capivara in Brazil for tens of thousands of years. Examine Columbuss "discovery" of America. October 11, 2021 5:00 am. "Endless testimonies.prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. He was the catalyst that brought more explorers across the Atlantic, who would eventually begin to explore North America, but it is . Not just Europeans, but everyone. 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. So the discovery of the Western Hemisphere should go to Erickson, no? This began with the spirit of Christopher Columbus. The Knights of Columbus lobbied state legislatures to legalize the holiday. That is, South and Central America to be exact. A new intersectional publication, geared towards voices, values, and identities! Some committed suicide to avoid subjugation, others fled, but many rebelled. Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? 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. It is known by many as to what had happened after Americas discovery. While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . original papers. St. Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins, native peoples lived in these places all along. Lastly, I would contend that historical figures should be honored by their great achievements, and not their mistakes or weaknesses. Howell Public Schools Stance on Mask Mandate, In person school, more beneficial to kids. Though flawed, Columbus was a great man with an adventurous spirit, sailing the seas to prepare to establish a new world. In short, today is Christopher Columbus Day, and we should all celebrate that. Since then, its spread across the nation with increasing speed, as more than 60 cities from Maine to Washington have supported the idea. With as simple of a description as that, one would wonder why so much controversy arises from a legal American holiday. And hes credited for marking the establishment of institutionalized slavery in the West Indies. 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. Poll shows most Americans want to celebrate Columbus Day. 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 killed a tremendous amount of people (genocide), and got away with it because of better equipment, men and control. Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert. According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti. For any subject. 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. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. "Ignore the propaganda and instead remember Christopher Columbus with gratitude and a clear conscience. Many people believe that Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday because Christopher Columbus was a terrible person. There were terrible diseases that got communicated to the natives, but he cant be blamed for that., 5. Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment. In another case, some people think Columbus was a hero because he represents a leader who went far and beyond to find America. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. But its hard for children to understand that someone who they were taught to idolize is a bad guy. Most Americans didn't even know much about Columbus until Washington Irving yes, that Washington Irving wrote. 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. "Reason: he may have discovered America before Columbus; Columbus is now commonplace as . But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. Growing up, I wasn't exposed to this truth. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? Now, I got nothing against thousands of virgins or a good story. Since August, eight cities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, including several in just the last week. Chris wasnt a bad guy right? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. All rights reserved. If we cannot honor anyone in human history that did not have flaws or imperfections, we cannot honor anyone at all. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. 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. 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 Day is one of America s oldest holidays. He brought with him a letter from King Ferdinand to the Taino-Arawak Indians. I discovered America. 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. . 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. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. Columbus tried to build and has transformed the America we have today. uknow@gse.harvard.edu Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. 1. 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. 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. 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. 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. Some schools, cities, and institutions, such as the. Get in touch! hen, on his fourth, final voyage, he landed at present-day Panama. Equipping students to grapple with the complexities of the past and the controversies of today, By grappling with the question of who we celebrate, and why, history teachers can help students navigate the complexities of the past, Resurfacing the lessons of Ferguson, which continue to resonate today, From Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, Theres definitely a trend toward questioning Columbus Day. SHOULD CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BE CELEBRATED? We should celebrate Indigenous People's Day instead. Its Cristoforo Colombo. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. It was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that designated the second Monday of October (Columbus Day) as a national holiday in 1971. CONTACT US: 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He sailed to Iceland and Ireland in 1477, and to Madeira in 1478. Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. Italian heritage. Marist shows that even with all of the attacks on Columbus, 57 percent of Americans believe it's. The act moved Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and the new Columbus Day holiday to Mondays. 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? Alaska was second, in 2017, enacting Indigenous Peoples Day. . 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 . But its not recognized in Los Angeles, where I live. 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. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. Columbus arrival is seen as the beginning of civilization in the Americas. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! He asked for 3 more days, and if land was not sighted, the crew could do with him as they wished. 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. 1. The opposition towards Christopher Columbus did not commence in todays society, or even the 21st century. Dating back around 200 years, the nonreligious had been adverse to this celebration. 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. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. Though it was disputed for many years, there is conclusive evidence that Neanderthals bred with modern humans (Homo sapiens). Read more TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer by Staff Reports Truth of Discovery Normally, the notion of discovery means encountering a place or an idea for the very first time.. 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. Indigenous Peoples Day: Why it's replacing Columbus Day in many places. As part of this plan, Spaniards aimed to convert native peoples to Christianity. One of the (many) perks of growing up on an island in the Caribbean was that we could actually take a field trip to Columbus Landing a spot fairly close to my school where Columbus and his crew set foot in 1493 among islands he called Las Islas Virgenes, after St. Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins. Columbus Day was a solution to a problem that most people didn't know existed. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day. He was turned down from the Portuguese crown, Genoa crown, Venice crown, and English crown. To get a custom and plagiarism-free essay. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. It was still his idea to sail west, rather than east to hit the East Indies, right? Yet, many continue to believe that America owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus. What were his actual contributions? Those are important questions we want to ask as citizens. Nevertheless, Italians claim him today and Columbus Day is a good chance to recognize what Italians have contributed to America, and the world. The main reason some Leftists dont want to celebrate Christopher Columbus is because his actions supposedly led to the genocide of Native American peoples. He would have peoples ears and noses cut off as punishments. South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day, in 1990, electing to go with Native Americans' Day. Stupid but hopeful. Curious, politically homeless, always hopeful. But that, for better or worse, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years. 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. Americans have the right to celebrate whatever they chose, but the history behind Columbus Day is not to be ignored. (You may want to add this into the equation.). Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. (Only 23 states give their workers a paid day off to celebrate it, according to a 2013 Pew poll). 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. Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers treated the Native Americans. His contract with the monarchs, called The Capitulations. Land was first spotted by Rodrigo de Triana, a lookout on the Pinta, and thereafter by its captain Martin Alonso Pinzo, who notified Columbus. Columbus inspired countless other explorers, both of his time and of modern time, to explore and make discoveries. Columbus Is Innocent of Most of the Charges Against Him, Christopher Columbus was not perfect, but he is innocent of most of his alleged crimes. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. Its the responsibility of our school system to talk about Columbus as part of our work to prepare students to be citizens. While Columbus Day is not a widely celebrated holiday, the question of whether or not to celebrate it are definitely up for discussion. 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. Because of his voyages to America, other great explorers ventured across the Atlantic and in under one hundred years, settled the new world. In his free time, Mettler enjoys reading, running, hiking, backpacking, and walking his dog. Columbus Day. Rather than celebrate, we believe it should be a day to mourn the destruction of an indigenous population which had lived in peace for tens of thousands of years before Columbus a rapist and murderer set foot on American soil. Other times they would go and massacre an entire village. But many would be killed if they did not accept Christ, even if they didnt understand what the Spanish were explaining to them. Or better yet, follow him. Why would an academic system praise someone who was so blatantly evil? Christopher Columbus, as it turned out, was responsible for widespread genocide; he permitted his men to rape, murder, mutilate and enslave indigenous people. Henry IV of Spain known as "The Impotent" for his weakness, both on the throne and (allegedly) in the marriage chamber died in 1474. But by then he was hardly the first European. The Vikings sailed to, and colonized parts of Newfoundland, Canada, around AD 1000. However, a circumspect understanding of history offers numerous reasons why Columbus should not only be celebrated, but . It is true that the conquest of the Americas by Europeans, which starts with Columbus, was very ugly, and involved a lot of violence. 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. Because thats public history. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. He shows the effect of willpower and perseverance. You can order an original essay written according to your instructions. This follows both Minneapolis and Seattle, which adopted the new. 20 University Rd., 6th Floor The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day, commemorating indigenous, aboriginal and native people.. -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. Usable Knowledge
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