He even made his crew swear an oath that Cuba was not an island but indeed the mainland of Asia, and that China could be reached overland from there. 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. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) is generally considered to be a great explorer during the Age of Exploration . Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. That alone is worth celebrating.". There were already people living wherever he landed. If the world was round, this was possible, he thought. But, again, no mainland United States. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Everything that he did sounded like it was so whimsical and as a young child yearning for an adventure I idolized him. In any case, we know for a fact that Europeans traveled to America almost 500 years before Columbus. St. Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins, native peoples lived in these places all along. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. Columbus arrival is seen as the beginning of civilization in the Americas. . Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. Specifically, he is credited with being the first European explorer since the Vikings to explore the New World for Europeans. 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. To realize this dream, they split up. "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. All rights reserved. Though it has its controversies, Columbus day should be celebrated. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! But as I got older and began learning more about the history of the Caribbean, the glossy veneer of ol Chris didnt hold up. In the early morning hours of the third day on October 12, the lookout . And if you can, take some time to learn more about all the diversity that makes the Caribbean great. Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. (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. Then they would sail away together to claim their riches. 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. There, the brothers should have been exposed to the adventures of another explorer: Leif Erickson. In recent years, the conversation has become more nuanced, as educators and people across the country have begun to explore the many reasons why celebrating Christopher Columbus is problematic: the violent abuse of indigenous peoples, the launch of the transatlantic slave trade, and the introduction of a swath of lethal diseases to an unprepared continent. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. Other times they would go and massacre an entire village. Not if we cant celebrate Christopher Columbus. Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. 2023 PapersOwl.com - All rights reserved. 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. . Cathedrals are some of the most awe-inspiring structures in the world, with their grandeur and intricate details captivating visitors for centuries. 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. 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. Here are my main reasons why I refuse to celebrate Columbus Day: 1. Get in touch! Yes, this guy didnt commit genocide. With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. Large Increase in U.S. In addition to The Daily Citizen, his written pieces have appeared in The Daily Signal, Life News, The Colorado Independent, and The Millennial Review. In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. Columbus and his men raped and mistreated the slaves, especially young girls through ages nine and ten. However, it was his brother, the cartographers idea to sail West. Of course, I learned that everyone expected him to sail off the edge of a flat earth into space or sea monsters or something. According to, Columbus believed that he was playing a part in a divine plan to Christianize the world. While there is only limited knowledge of what pre-Columbus America was like, it did feature war, slavery, torture and plenty of brutality. Once upon a time, teachers celebrated Columbus Day by leading children in choruses of song about the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. We need to set the record straight early on. Most of the time when injustices occurred, Columbus wasnt even there. Indigenous Peoples' Day now replaces Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 communities. 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. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? He would cut off the hands of people living in what now is Haiti for not bringing him enough gold every three months. October 11, 2021 5:00 am. 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. We need to own it. 1. Lastly, I would contend that historical figures should be honored by their great achievements, and not their mistakes or weaknesses. 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. (Remember, they werent well versed in Spanish. Or Napoleon Bonaparte Day, for that matter. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. With all that, there are reasons to celebrate Columbus Day. Columbuss Native American slave trade morphed into the African slave trade by the mid-16th century. CONTACT US: South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day, in 1990, electing to go with Native Americans' Day. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. By 1555, there were zero full-blooded natives left on the island. Listen I know almost everyone celebrated in history enslaved people. 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. Who Destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria? And eventually hundreds of years of African slave trade but uhm, OK, fine, he was a monster. This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. 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. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. Elliott Lassitter and John WirtOctober 26, 2017. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. James Loewens Lies My Teacher Told Me, and his shorter Lies My Teacher Told Me about Christopher Columbus, critique how textbooks have covered Columbus. First, lets just put aside the paradox of discovering a land that already had a population of indigenous people. Sorry, Mr. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . When Columbus arrived in 1492, he enslaved the Natives, and took control over their way of life, and also made his way into the Caribbean Island. 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. And its fundamentally important that they do so. This has started to cause a change, and many cities within America have taken on a remuneration for the controversial holiday. Columbus couldn't be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldn't return. Why does learning about what Columbus did to Native Americans still matter today? 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. 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? Columbus was a brutal and cruel man who . 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? The main reason Columbus Day draws opposition is because of how the explorer's arrival to the New World affected Indigenous people. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. 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. Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated. Below are five reasons why Columbus Day celebrants can hold their head high in 2019 rather than kowtow to guilt-based politics. Now theres a deed worth celebrating every year! Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. Many of those enslaved would die, and were then easily replaced by some brought from the Bahamas. Yeah. Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. Yet, despite all the gruesome sacrifice and slavery, some still wish to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. The things Columbus did such as capturing the Natives as slaves just made him the man of his time, saying everyone did this, and that he needed the help anyway. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. Once we do this, Columbus Day can be a truly inclusive holiday. Columbus should not be celebrated, let alone given a day. But many would be killed if they did not accept Christ, even if they didnt understand what the Spanish were explaining to them. 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. Hi! And most believe the idea came from their familys time in Iceland. 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. Washington, D.C., has joined hundreds of U.S. cities in seven states in replacing Columbus Day with a day to celebrate 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. 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. In 1892, a joint congressional resolution prompted President Benjamin Harrison to mark the "discovery of America by Columbus," in part because of "the devout faith of the discoverer and for the. For instance, they lay out what specific textbooks omitted about Columbuss involvement with the slave trade and genocide. He led the way for future colonists to settle the United States. She likes thrifting, romance novels, cooking shows, and can often be found binging documentaries. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. Its the responsibility of our school system to talk about Columbus as part of our work to prepare students to be citizens. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. The population of the Taino decreased by over two hundred thousand within sixty years. Columbus Day, which is celebrated today in the USA and honours the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World, is an example of outdated and misguided history. Or maybe even plan to discover your own new-to-you islands! I remember learning about Columbus as a young child and I was in awe learning about the explorer. Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. There are several reasons why Columbus Day has become controversial. Certain states and localities have moved away from celebrating Christopher Columbus, and now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. But heres the kicker. Had he have given up, the world would be drastically different today. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. When he was only 23. he had the idea of going to India, China and Japan. And thanks for reading this. Last updated by Patrick Bennett on 10/02/2021. I dont think its ever too young. Since August, eight cities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, including several in just the last week. 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. Ahh, well, semantics. Thousands of the Taino, or Indians as Columbus had referred to them, were shipped out to be traded internationally. Without him, the modern world would not be the way it is today. He finally ended up getting a sponsorship with the Spanish crown, and was off to explore the world. Well, the tough thing about labeling someone as good or bad is the definitions change with the times. Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. This conflict between reality and fiction is what makes Columbus Day one of the most controversial holidays in America. 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. After his voyage to America, he became one of the most well known explorers of his time. On his second voyage, he landed at Hispaniola, Cuba, and Jamaica among others. Very trying! sums it up for Daniel, creator of Stories Guaranteed to Make You Sick, Dr. Crankenfuss books, Moose Jokes, & now Practically News. Columbuss men used native girls as young as nine or ten as their sex slaves. (2020, Aug 20). The evil deeds of Columbus far outweigh the few accomplishments he achieved. However, his other two ships on his first voyage were the Santa Clara and the Gallega. It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. While Columbus Day is not a widely celebrated holiday, the question of whether or not to celebrate it are definitely up for discussion. The holiday celebrates . Exploring the story of Columbus postmortem voyages and the enduring mystery. It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. He read books, studied the ocean, and made a name for himself. "Reason: he may have discovered America before Columbus; Columbus is now commonplace as . 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. Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. 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. 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. So why Columbus Day? 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. The next obvious question is: well, if thats not his name, what were the names of his famous ships? According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti.
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