History of Columbus Day
Monday October 12, 2009
Traditionally, the second Monday of October is set aside to commemorate Christopher Columbus' arrival in America. In actuality, Columbus first sighted land on October 12, 1492. In recent years Columbus Day has come under some attack because of the impact Columbus' discovery had on the Native Americans. His voyage was a key event in the Age of Discovery.
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I definitely do not think that we should have a day commemorating Columbus. It just proves that we are more wanting of heroes than actual historical figures.
Columbus Day was established as a US holiday to allow Italian-Americans a designated day of celebration for their heritage (although there was no Italy at the time of Columbus; that’s not the point). BTW, Columbus is historically important for more than one reason; among them, he established the first European settlement in the Americas, as well as, the first permanent settlement of Europeans in the Americas (the inhabitants of Greenland and Iceland being discounted as part of the Americas).
So, I guess we are not counting Erik the Red or Leif Ericsson?
Columbus was not perfect. His spirit of exploration did pave the way for the great thinkers and inventors of Europe to transform a wilderness into the greatest country in the world. He sailed great ships over uncharted waters and encountered primitives who hollowed-out logs and paddled up rivers. The early natives had no written language and did not even know of the wheel. The history of the world is full of hundreds of histories of inevitable conquests. This was one of them.
Saying Columbus was not perfect is like saying Hitler meant no harm. The fact is he was lost, mis-named an entire indigenous people who were NOT lost, they DID have written history, he NEVER set foot on the American Continent, was responsible for millions of genocide’s. They knew of the wheel and were vastly more advanced astronomically. Learn the truth about this monster please.
Mr colombus is the reason that we have most of the world problems. Had he stayed at home, there would be no new world, no rape of native peoples,no world expandtion and so on. Yes the world would be a different place better or worse, look what you did you bad bad bad man. Glad you are in hell you bastard!
Columbus was neither saint nor demon. He had a vision and his actions led to the Old World rediscovering the New World. Because of his discovery events followed for which he is neither responsible nor deserving of credit. But the event was significant and had great impact. That makes him an important figure in history.
In addition, the American Indians were 500 different nations with cultures varying in their sophistication. They were not so primitive nor so innocent as they are portrayed. Some had writing and other forms of recording their history. I am not familiar with any that had the use of a wheel.
I think it is important the we look at history objectively, and do not read our personal prejudices into it.