Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers treated the Native Americans. Christopher Columbus wouldnt have arrived to the Americas without the assistance of the Nio Brothers, a Spanish family of African descent. Indigenous people are experts in sustainable living. Aysha Imtiaz Should a man whose actions created a wave of genocide and killed thousands of innocent natives be considered a hero? On his return trips to . Growing up, I wasn't exposed to this truth. They found the only way to fully understand their present was to look back and remember their past. 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. -- Celebrate the spread of Western civilization. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Christopher Columbus: Hero or Zero? He did reach the coasts of what today are Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as . Can We at Least Cancel the D-List Historical Racists? @2022 - hiplatina.com All Right Reserved. (Not that the West solely had these ideas, but it put them in a package that wasnt generally available elsewhere.). Columbus celebrates the beginning of cultural exchange between America and Europe. Christopher Columbus was a horrendous person who enslaved the indigenous peoples of the lands he traveled to. 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. They also suffered with dehydration. Originally designated to celebrate Christopher Columbuss discovery of America, post offices and banks are closed, and stores hold major sales. We might have to write the Pledge of Allegiance again if we decided to stop as a nation celebrating Columbus Day. Its a great time to start buying for Christmas and save. ?>, Order original essay sample specially for your assignment needs, https://phdessay.com/should-we-celebrate-columbus-day/, Why Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated as National Holiday, Celebrate Bob Dylan's Nobel Prize Win With These 20 Inspiring Quotes, Amerindian before Columbus and the Physical Geography of the Caribbean, Christopher Columbus: Journey and Colonization, get custom In 1892 the Pledge of Allegiance was written to honor him Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World in 1492 has been celebrated throughout history and across both the Americas and in Spain. or redistributed. Across the USA you will find that there are more monuments dedicated to Columbus than anyone else. Their depictions of the new world were seemingly different and each explorer possessed. Early Columbus Day celebrations. Save time and let our verified experts help you. One hundred years ago this month, Colorado Sen. Casimo . 5. Watch now to . Still, he was later pardoned by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain after serving just six weeks in prison and had a fourth voyage subsidized. Columbus would give someone a pendant to wear around his or her neck. 7 Child Monarchs from History and How They Changed the World, The Chilling Mystery of the Octavius Ghost Ship, What is a Wendigo? October 11, 2021 5:00 am. He decimated the native population. It is much more fitting for us to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day since indigenous peoples were here in the U.S. been before anyone else. Like it or not, Columbus is a hero. The first reason for why Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated is because he committed mass genocide against the Native Americans. 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. 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. Some of the monuments include the Statue of Liberty and a monument that is located in New York City that was created by one of the Italian brothers who also helped with carving the Lincoln Memorial. 7 Legendary Cryptids that Turned Out to Be Real! 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. 10 minutes with: Explore how the human body functions as one unit in harmony in order to life //= $post_title your own essay or use it as a source, but you need (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. He gave hope across the land in dark times. 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. We celebrate other heroes such as Martin Luther King and Presidents day. Columbus is also used as a scapegoat for many other reasons. While it isnt spotless, to pretend something didnt happen, or to degrade the forefathers who created our remarkable nation, is counterproductive and dangerous. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the New World (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day, commemorating indigenous, aboriginal and native people.. Columbus arrival is seen as the beginning of civilization in the Americas. 10 Shocking Facts about the Ancient Romans, The Secret Tomb of the First Chinese Emperor Remains an Unopened Treasure, Archaeological Treasure Trove! This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Christopher Columbus however, does not show many admirable qualities. One of the best parts of our humanity is that sense of discovery. It says in Article 2, Within four years of Columbus's arrival on Hipiola, his men had killed or exported one-third of the original Indian population of 300,000. Columbus sparked the start of trade and European expansion and colonization in America, but he also wiped out one third of the Taino people by forcing them into slavery or murdering them. What most might not know is that Columbus sailed with 90 men on three different ships. Regardless of not having any technology or ways to communicate with others if they needed help, they ventured out and sailed the ocean, unsure of what would happen to them. In reality, when we as the people of the United States celebrate Christopher Columbus day, we honor a man who was a supporter of rape, enslavement, violence, and control over anyone he deemed inferior to him. He took land for himself and created plantations and mines, where he forced natives to work for him as slaves, building his personal wealth (Article 2). And to see that it is not the essence of Columbus, but rather part of the times. Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Again, it would be like breaking American tradition if we stopped celebrating Columbus Day. How weird is that?! The Beast with an insatiable Hunger for Human Flesh, The Awe-Inspiring Karnak Temple Complex and Vatican of Ancient Egypt. When Columbus and his men landed on the islands that would become the West Indies, instead of being peaceful and trading with the indigenous people, they lied, exploited and killed hundreds of them. 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. Check out these 10 Reasons Why We Celebrate Columbus Day and you can decide for yourself as to if we should or shouldnt after reading them. The great navigator Columbus Mr. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) navigator Spain famous and pioneering major geographical discoveries in human history. For the first time this year some calendars don't mention Columbus Day but says October 11 is Indigenous Peoples' Day. On October 12, 1492, after a voyage of 10 weeks, Christopher Columbus' crew spotted the New World. Along and through History, conquerors have had violent behaviour. Nuclear Fusion, Episode IV: Tellers Dream. -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. 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. People across the Americas have celebrated Columbus exploring this land by holding religious ceremonies, hosting parades and teaching about the history of Columbus in schools. Nevertheless, Italians claim him today and Columbus Day is a good chance to recognize what Italians have contributed to America, and the world. Upon landing on Guanahani; on October 12, 1492; he claimed the land for Spain, despite it already being indigenous land. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Some of the reasons why it's important to celebrate indigenous people include: 1. Right now, across the country, cities and schools are faced with the question, Should we celebrate Columbus? Were facing similar questions about how we commemorate the confederacy and the Civil War. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Monday, Oct. 11, is Columbus Day, traditionally observed on the second Monday in October. Hence, the inducement cited above.). You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! The New York Society of Tammany also honored Columbus of his first voyage with the marking of his 300th anniversary. 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. History already is moving us to a better place. James Loewens Lies My Teacher Told Me, and his shorter Lies My Teacher Told Me about Christopher Columbus, critique how textbooks have covered Columbus. 21 Royal Han Tombs Unearthed in China. People are taught at a young age that Christopher Columbus was a hero when in fact. God disposes! As these texts have become popular, and more history teachers have read them, more students have learned a more accurate account of Columbus from a younger age. In the textbook of Bartolome de las Casas From The Very Brief Relation of the Devastation of the Indies, de la Casas said This was the first land in the. Learn from history, dont destroy history as the Muslim ISIS did. 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. I. We also ask the President to host an official yearly signing ceremony in celebration of Columbus Day, the Italian American community and the importance of the immigrant experience in the making of our great nation. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Even perpetually leftward NPR admitted today . Columbus couldnt be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldnt return. And #5 gets worse. What great leader doesnt make mistakes? Columbus Day, the second Monday in October, is a nationally recognized holiday. Columbus and St. Croix 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. 1. I strongly believe that Columbus day should not be celebrated because of the torture, slavery, and lying that was caused by him. Retrieved from https://phdessay.com/should-we-celebrate-columbus-day/, Hire skilled expert and get original paper in 3+ hours, Run a free check or have your essay done for you, Didn`t find the right sample? When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. In his diary, he mentioned gold 75 times just in the first two weeks, alone (Katz 13). In one of the biggest ironies and hypocrisies of American history, we are asked to celebrate one undocumented immigrant who committed so many crimes its difficult to actually catalog them, while our government simultaneously separates and deports honest, hardworking families who are undocumented. Someone who has a holiday named after them should have made some very important contributions to history and have shown noble or admirable qualities as a person. One for every day of the year. cite it. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. Market data provided by Factset. The second Monday in October is celebrated nationally as Columbus Day, which has been a federal holiday since 1937. From "Teaching Tolerance" Directions: Your written or oral response is required on the bolded sections of this document. 6. })(); on 10 Reasons Why We Celebrate Columbus Day, 10 Sexy Halloween Women Costumes For 2015, Ten Tips on Picking Out a Ripe Watermelon, 10 Ways Video Games Help People in the Real World, A Roseburg, Oregon Gardener's 10 Favorite Flowers, Top 10 Handsome Male Inmates that Desire PenPals, 10 Creepy Ant Behaviors You Wont Believe, Ten Attractive Female Inmates Desire Penpals in 2019, Top Ten Fun Things To Do During The 2019 Pendleton Roundup Week, 10 Top Foods That Were Invented by Mistake, Tip Top 10 Reasons Why You Might Always Be Hungry, The Top Ten Websites in Pendleton, Oregon, A Roseburg, Oregon Gardeners 10 Favorite Flowers. Thessaloniki Metro Construction Reveals Unimaginable Treasures, East-West Migration to Siberia Found in 7,500-Year-Old DNA, The Truth Behind the Christ Myth: Ancient Origins of the Often Used Legend Part I, The Epic of Gilgamesh Unveiled: Enlightenment and Source of Religions. 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. Every year more and more cities and states recognize that a celebration of Columbus is offensive and historically inaccurate. His first impression of the Arawaks, one of the first peoples he encountered, was . 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. Sometimes I wonder if that is actually a good idea. Jesus said to take the Lords Supper to remember His sacrifice! 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. Many today hate Columbus because he was a devout Christian. John Smith, and William Bradford had many stories to tell during their explorations of the new world. 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. 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? Why is this? Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. What were his actual contributions? Those are important questions we want to ask as citizens. He wandered around islands in the Caribbean, stealing valuables, thinking he was in Asia. Pedro Alonso was the pilot of the Santa Maria during Columbuss first trip. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. Here are a few reasons Fox News, 9.We should celebrate Columbus Day not Indigenous Peoples Day, 10.Should Columbus Day be celebrated? Bring them to the light, if you would. Due to the debates about Columbus Day and how some people feel about him, 22 states dont celebrate it. 9. During June 2020 Christopher Columbus statues were destroyed in seven American cities. https://www.instagram.com/p/BojtcnmlBjE/?tagged=christophercolumbus. Just bear in mind that the verb "colonize" and the terms "colony", and "colonial" derive from Columbus ("Colon", in Spanish spelling). They brought their music, art, philosophy, medicine and many other things to America. As if . Indigenous people have a deep connection to the land. Type your requirements and I'll connect Published 2:18 pm Tuesday, September 28, 2021. 3. In 1502 a merchant and explorer by the name Amerigo Vespucci had came to realise that Christopher Columbus was wrong about the new world he had found. The Natives were here first and so it should be Happy Indigenous People Day! When the pendant expired, the Native American would have to continue bringing him gold. In fact, from what we know, he was a cruel, selfish person who killed a lot of people. Columbus Day Should Be Abolished. One of the few facts Americans remember from history is Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Although Columbus wasnt the first to visit the New World (Vikings had traveled here centuries earlier), Columbus first widely publicized, and thus discovered, its existence to the Europeans. Personally, I am not such a fan of Columbus but I do have some respect for him for just his voyage. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. Columbus should not be celebrated, let alone given a day. Has the Function of the Great Pyramid of Giza Finally Come to Light? Columbus is often used as an American role model but a man who committed genocide is not a very good default role model. So, why should we celebrate Columbus Day if he wasnt the one who founded America completely and might not have been the perfect leader? And Erickson was certainly as European as Columbus (at least in todays geographical terminology.) There were already people living wherever he landed. The exchange culturally between Europe and America started They didnt have GPS or any of the fancy technology that we have today. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to proclaim Columbus Day as a federal holiday. Very trying! sums it up for Daniel, creator of Stories Guaranteed to Make You Sick, Dr. Crankenfuss books, Moose Jokes, & now Practically News. 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. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Indigenous cultures are rich and diverse. 20 University Rd., 6th Floor Or Napoleon Bonaparte Day, for that matter. He was in his youth believer in the theory of spherical. The Vikings were actually the first non natives to discover America. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. Lost and Found Evidence of Extreme Size Life Forms Everywhere! On the plus side, ever since the year 1990 South Dakota has been celebrating Native American Day. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? Or better yet, follow him. Usable Knowledge In the early 1900s, leaders in the Italian-American community pushed to get the government to honor Columbus Day as a way to convince Americans to stop being so racist toward Italians. They continued to sail regardless that most of them were sick, were faced with extreme exhaustion and famine. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. But its not recognized in Los Angeles, where I live. However, to tear down his statue or other statues that are government property is a felony and you should be arrested and charged with the crime. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Helping teachers pay for classroom supplies, Violation of the Hippocratic Oath and Nuremberg Trial codes, Against paying reparations to descendants of slaves. He stopped at the Canary Islands for a final restocking and left there on September 6. The United States celebrates Columbus hardcore every year and children are taught all about his legacy, but he never actually stepped foot in North America. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. That year, President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus Day a legal holiday. "To date, these are the oldest traces of human existence in the Americas," said archaeologist Niede Guidon who has headed a mission to carry out large-scale excavation of Piaui's interior since the 1970's. #IndigenousPeoplesDay . 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. Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). He was. . Below are five reasons why Columbus Day celebrants can hold their head high in 2019 rather than kowtow to guilt-based politics. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. Let us help you get a good grade on your paper. Available in a range of colours and styles for men, women, and everyone. Some argue against celebrating Columbus as a historical figure due to the violence and . However, despite his mistakes we owe him a lot for discovering the new world. Some people say that Columbus Day is the "beginning of cultural exchange between America and Europe (Article 4) but Columbus wasn't the only explorer to land in the New World. For starters, Christopher Columbus didnt discover anything. https://www.instagram.com/p/BoiGlYJFgrk/?tagged=christophercolumbus. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. What resulted was genocide, rape, mutilations and a variety of other atrocities. Columbus stole gold and valuables from native people, often killing to get them, and brought them back to Spain. Immediately upon arrival, Columbus noted that the natives he encountered were kind and giving and that he planned to use that kindness against them. Since then, its spread across the nation with increasing speed, as more than 60 cities from Maine to Washington have supported the idea. s.async=true; s.src="http://widgets.amung.us/a_pro.js"; Who Are the Yazidis and Why Have They Been Continually Persecuted? In the early morning hours of the third day on October 12, the lookout . America has more monuments to Columbus than any other nation in the world. It is a known fact that the vikings where actually the first to discover America but it was never recorded. uknow@gse.harvard.edu October 10, 2014 4:43 PM EDT. Canadas Spotted Lake: The Most Alien-Looking Lake on Earth, The Legendary Emerald Tablet and its Secrets of the Universe. The discovery made. The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples' Day, commemorating "indigenous, aboriginal and native people." This movement sees Columbus. April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. They pit our government against itself and us against our government. Columbus never landed on mainland America (Article 3). Columbus undertook his first voyage facing the prospects of great danger. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. . Martin Luther was another famous one who wasnt perfect but we still remember him for everything that he did. Who was Christopher Columbus? How the holiday has , 8.Why celebrate Columbus Day? So I propose that we keep October 12 as Columbus Day but turn it into a day of honest education, deep reflection, and national mourning. If it wasn't for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldn't have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. #history #columbusdaytruth #homeschool #homeschool2015, A post shared by Annissa (@nissarae13) on Oct 23, 2015 at 2:54pm PDT. This is why I love this book! It involves really unpacking the past, looking for complications, and making a deep exploration into the people that made history happen, rather than just looking for a glossy overview. In fact, the result of Columbuss voyages was mass, Columbus didnt do too well as a governor of these new lands. (Remember, they werent well versed in Spanish. Every October, the United States celebrates Christopher Columbus' discovering of the Americas. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. Christopher Columbuss behavior (including cutting off natives hands if they didnt gather enough gold) was so atrocious that he and his brothers were arrested (after complaints by Spanish settlers and friars), and sent back to Spain in chains in 1500. People debate on whether Columbus discoveries were self-credited or. 150,000-Year-Old Pipes Baffle Scientists in China: Out of Place in Time? Dinner Invitations for Famous People from the Past, 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, The Discovery that Revealed Ancient Humans Navigated the Seas 130,000 Years Ago, The Oldest Art in the World Wasnt Made By Homo sapiens. Without those contributions we might not see each other as equal or be free like we are today. Columbus said, No one should be afraid to take on any enterprise in the name of our Savior (Jesus) if it is right and if the purpose is purely for His holy service. Back in 1992 500 years after Columbus's fateful landing in the Caribbean Berkeley, Calif., was the first American city to repurpose his day in honor of Native America. Dominant narratives tend to speak about heroes in a simple sense; counternarratives can be much more critical. Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. In October we celebrate the man who found America. America just would not seem right if we didnt celebrate those holidays because its a very important tradition.