How many countries award holidays to non-natives? Yet, despite all the gruesome sacrifice and slavery, some still wish to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. On his first voyage, Columbus promised the crew on his three ships (Santa Maria, Pinta and Santa Clara) that the first person who spotted land would receive a lifetime pension. For the first time this year some calendars don't mention Columbus Day but says October 11 is Indigenous Peoples' Day. Even though Eratosthenes (Greek mathematician living in Alexandria, Egypt, Columbus never discovered anything. We should honor George Washington, the Indispensable man, for his military bravado and skilled leadership as our first president, even though he owned slaves. It is true that the conquest of the Americas by Europeans, which starts with Columbus, was very ugly, and involved a lot of violence. His father was a wool weaver, and cheese stand owner. Personally, I dont think we should celebrate Columbus Day. He asked for 3 more days, and if land was not sighted, the crew could do with him as they wished. So, yes, in 1498 and 1502, he did reach the continental Americas. Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. Its important to learn about what Columbus did to Native Americans because not everyone knows the truth about him and his treatment of the Natives. He shows the effect of willpower and perseverance. It is known by many as to what had happened after Americas discovery. 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. In his free time, Mettler enjoys reading, running, hiking, backpacking, and walking his dog. There are many good reasons as to why Columbus Day is such a controversial holiday. However, his other two ships on his first voyage were the Santa Clara and the Gallega. Marist shows that even with all of the attacks on Columbus, 57 percent of Americans believe it's. Columbus Day was invented by the Knights of Columbus in the 1930s when they were looking for a role model for school age children. Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. Well, the Pinta was indeed, the Pinta. Columbus Did Not Discover North America. I believe thats the tact to take when looking at Chris. your personal assistant! 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. However, because Columbus brought disasters to the Native Americans, many people opposed the Columbus celebrations. And if you can, take some time to learn more about all the diversity that makes the Caribbean great. And Bart was left behind on the cutting room floor of history. This criticism had quickly faded over time, and was replaced by a more pressing issue; the improper treatment towards indigenous people. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. Top 5 Reasons NOT to Celebrate Columbus Day And 1 Reason To History comes with an agenda. This began with the spirit of Christopher Columbus. Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a master navigator and admiral. He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. 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. ), Christopher Columbus initiated the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The Knights of Columbus lobbied state legislatures to legalize the holiday. Italian heritage. 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 . It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first voyage. Columbus inspired countless other explorers, both of his time and of modern time, to explore and make discoveries. Americans have the right to celebrate whatever they chose, but the history behind Columbus Day is not to be ignored. Colorado did so on April 1, 1907. Columbus couldnt be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldnt return. If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. Furthermore, Columbus continued to enslave Natives and abuse their nation, damage their environment, and their rights as humans. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. 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. matter in the end. If Columbus is Off Limits to Celebrate, so are Indigenous Peoples. Columbus tried to build and has transformed the America we have today. Sure, he was addicted to opium, but a lot of people were at the time. He thereby claimed the lifetime pension for himself, cheating the rightful claimant out of both glory and a significant amount of money. Americans, for all our faults, love adventure. By 1555, there were zero full-blooded natives left on the island. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. Hence, the inducement cited above.). Though it was disputed for many years, there is conclusive evidence that Neanderthals bred with modern humans (Homo sapiens). In fact, the result of Columbuss voyages was mass, Columbus didnt do too well as a governor of these new lands. Every Columbus Day I am forcibly reminded of my hatred for Christopher Columbus. Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. Very much like the lyrics of the famous She may be ancient Egypts most famous face, but the quest to find the eternal resting place of Queen Nefertiti has never been hotter. Not if we cant celebrate Christopher Columbus. Large Increase in U.S. They would make fine servants. He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . Once upon a time, teachers celebrated Columbus Day by leading children in choruses of song about the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Columbus was taking advantage of opportunities to find goods by getting the help of slaves. The attack on Columbus Day is a major facet of the cultural . 1. Columbus Day, the second Monday in October, is a nationally recognized holiday. But that, for better or worse, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years. "Endless testimonies.prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. This follows both Minneapolis and Seattle, which adopted the new. He is an inspiration to many young people. In another case, some people think Columbus was a hero because he represents a leader who went far and beyond to find America. Historical knowledge can help students create an argument to answer those questions. While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . Columbus Day's only silver lining may be found at historically significant sites throughout the Caribbean that connect us to history. 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. Cambridge, MA 02138, Challenges? Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. 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. Usable Knowledge 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. The act moved Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and the new Columbus Day holiday to Mondays. Columbus was a brutal and cruel man who . Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Columbuss Native American slave trade morphed into the African slave trade by the mid-16th century. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Why is Columbus Day being renamed? Columbus Day is one of the oldest holidays in the USA Observing Columbus Day started back in the 18th century. 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. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. 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. 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. Now, I got nothing against thousands of virgins or a good story. On his third, he named Trinidad and landed in present-day Venezuela. Some of my students entered high school aware of the problematic nature of Columbus but their thinking is, Well, Columbus is not important to study, because he didnt do anything. We have to push back on that. Today's woke perspective condemns Columbus Day as an unworthy holiday. (Sarcasm intended.) To get a custom and plagiarism-free essay. Many of those enslaved would die, and were then easily replaced by some brought from the Bahamas. 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. CONTACT US: We are a hopeful species. This conflict between reality and fiction is what makes Columbus Day one of the most controversial holidays in America. Yes, this guy didnt commit genocide. Another reason why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is because it promotes a distorted view of history. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. This essay is available online and might have been used by another student. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. Sorry, Mr. According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti. Dominant narratives tend to speak about heroes in a simple sense; counternarratives can be much more critical. All rights reserved. Those left were forced to work in mines and plantations. 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. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Since then, it's spread across the. First of all, Christopher Columbus isnt even his name. Christopher Columbus wasnt American! Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. It's also why it's crucial we learn facts about Native Americans and. So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day? It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. Not just Europeans, but everyone. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day. There are still people who believe Christopher Columbus found America and that what he did was harmless because he was being a man of his time. Contrary to popular belief, Columbus Day is a celebration of diversity, not oppression. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. Columbus and St. Croix 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? And maybe only one reason to celebrate. This was a sign of things to come. But the fact of the matter is that he started the colonialism within North America, enslaved groups of people, and laid out the groundwork for others to do the same is damning. (2020, Aug 20). 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. (Remember, they werent well versed in Spanish. Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+! Yeah. Three other states New Mexico, Maine, Vermont followed suit this year. Why is he important? And its fundamentally important that they do so. Wrong, it was his younger brother Bartholomews. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College, Who do we celebrate, and why? In fact, that might have been a good neighbor, whereas today That neighbor would find themselves in jail. So, enjoy the day off and celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. 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. But its hard for children to understand that someone who they were taught to idolize is a bad guy. Its the responsibility of our school system to talk about Columbus as part of our work to prepare students to be citizens. 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. With three boats, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, he set out in search of a better trade route to India. If the world was round, this was possible, he thought. It neednt be a battleground, but a chance to celebrate the best within us. And maybe only one reason to celebrate. Captivating History, Christopher Columbus: A Captivating Guide to the Life of an Italian Explorer and His Voyages to the Americas, Captivating History, 2020 Yet, many continue to believe that America owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus. Poll shows most Americans want to celebrate Columbus Day. Columbus may have recorded that he "found" America, but he was a. mass murderer. Columbus killed a tremendous amount of people (genocide), and got away with it because of better equipment, men and control. In 1927, Chicago's outer drive, connecting the city's North and South Sides, was renamed for Leif. And the D.C. City Council recently approved a measure to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. Sure, Chris had been sailing since age 14. The first reason for why Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated is because he committed mass genocide against the Native Americans. Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Most of the time when injustices occurred, Columbus wasnt even there. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! Mettler earned his Bachelors degree from William Jessup University and is an alumnus of the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation. If it wasn't for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldn't have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. And Im not one to turn down a national holiday for a day off work! 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. 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. America is celebrating. Of course, I learned that everyone expected him to sail off the edge of a flat earth into space or sea monsters or something. Without Columbus, the age of exploration wouldnt have been inspired in the way that it was, and has a vital place in American history. And eventually hundreds of years of African slave trade but uhm, OK, fine, he was a monster. On October 11th, 2021 its 529 years since Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, or Cristoforo Colombo as he was probably known in his native Genoa, landed on the island San Salvador. Columbus wanted to test this idea. Columbus is also well known as a great explorer, and not the man he truly is, who hurt people in order for things to go his way and for him to get what he wants, which was power., Two Reasons Why Columbus Day Should Not be Celebrated. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. "It's difficult to think there exists a site anywhere with a higher concentration of cave art.". He decimated the native population. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. But its not recognized in Los Angeles, where I live. 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. Our writers can help you with any type of essay. And hes credited for marking the establishment of institutionalized slavery in the West Indies. The main reason some Leftists dont want to celebrate Christopher Columbus is because his actions supposedly led to the genocide of Native American peoples. And he was a talented astronomer and navigator. First, lets just put aside the paradox of discovering a land that already had a population of indigenous people. 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 . With as simple of a description as that, one would wonder why so much controversy arises from a legal American holiday. If I sailed to Italy and said that I discovered this land in the name of Rowan University it wouldnt fly 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. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. Columbus Day should be celebrated because Columbus had done a lot to get to the point of sailing. 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. He was the catalyst that brought more explorers across the Atlantic, who would eventually begin to explore North America, but it is . What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? Now theres a deed worth celebrating every year! It is perhaps worth revisiting the two distinct reasons why we celebrate Columbus Day in the first place, and . Certain states and localities have moved away from celebrating Christopher Columbus, and now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. Christopher Columbus is just one of those English adaptations someone felt was preferable to pronouncing a foreign sounding name. There were already people living wherever he landed. 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. If it wasnt for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldnt have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. 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 main reason Columbus Day draws opposition is because of how the explorer's arrival to the New World affected Indigenous people. ). And most believe the idea came from their familys time in Iceland. When he was only 23. he had the idea of going to India, China and Japan. Yet in the past few decades, something has changed. I dont think its ever too young. Hoping to bring fresh perspectives to topics like race & politics, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. Bring them to the light, if you would. Now that the truth is becoming more widely known, people are pressuring their communities to stop celebrating Columbus Day. October 11, 2021 5:00 am. So why Columbus Day? The West has its good and bad points, but its best ideasequal rights, freedom of religion, free speech, due process, open scientific inquiry, property rights and so onhave helped all people who adopt them. What Columbus did next was nothing less than shameful. St. Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins, native peoples lived in these places all along. Even perpetually leftward NPR admitted today . It doesn't make sense for the United States to recognize this supposed Christian with ashow more content Although many people have adopted Columbus day as "Indigenous People's Day," many people will not agree that we should also have a holiday . If we cannot honor anyone in human history that did not have flaws or imperfections, we cannot honor anyone at all. Just bear in mind that the verb "colonize" and the terms "colony", and "colonial" derive from Columbus ("Colon", in Spanish spelling). 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. Below are five reasons why Columbus Day celebrants can hold their head high in 2019 rather than kowtow to guilt-based politics. Columbuss men used native girls as young as nine or ten as their sex slaves. (He had plenty of different ships on subsequent voyages.). Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert. All rights reserved. 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. This kept them from planting crops, leading to widespread starvation. Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. Along and through History, conquerors have had violent behaviour. Yes, we have a federal holiday on Christmas, but Ill put that in a special category (which well call religious.). 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. It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. Reference list: Herman Lindquist, Christopher Columbus var han riktigt klok, Fischer, 1992. Some committed suicide to avoid subjugation, others fled, but many rebelled. Columbus Day is a United States federal holiday that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. For a long time, Columbus discovery of America was an universally celebrated event, both in Europe and America. -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. For any subject. On his 1492 voyage, Chris landed on a number of islands including some in the Bahamas very close to mainland Florida. In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. He was turned down from the Portuguese crown, Genoa crown, Venice crown, and English crown. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. Columbus Day, which is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year, has become a controversial subject for many people. Ahh, well, brothers will be brothers. When confronted with evidence to the contrary, he simply could not conceive of the the idea that he might be wrong. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. The con for Columbus Day written by Elliot Lassitter. Is Columbus' tomb in the Dominican Republic or Seville? Columbus arrival is seen as the beginning of civilization in the Americas. The reason Columbus set sail on his epic journey in the first place was because he raped the 13-year-old daughter of a Spanish Duchess. His first impression of the Arawaks, one of the first peoples he encountered, was . Here are three reasons we shouldn't celebrate Columbus Day, as a country. Why are we celebrating him? The population of the Taino decreased by over two hundred thousand within sixty years. (He did follow his big brother to the Caribbean two years later.). There, the brothers should have been exposed to the adventures of another explorer: Leif Erickson. That's my nephew, Trinidad, reveling in the joys of Caribbean sailing somewhere between St. Croix and Buck Island aboard Teroro II. Columbus never stepped foot on North American soil. Many states celebrate both. 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. 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.