Like Columbus, they claim religion to gain support. Not just Europeans, but everyone. Christopher Columbus is revered as the conqueror of the new world; but many people have a different view of his accomplishments. 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? Available in a range of colours and styles for men, women, and everyone. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. Here are a few reasons Fox News, 9.We should celebrate Columbus Day not Indigenous Peoples Day, 10.Should Columbus Day be celebrated? (See, Columbus promised Ferdinand and Isabella so much, including gold, they had given him 17 ships and well over a thousand men for his second voyage! We could celebrate European American Cultural Exchange Day", not Columbus Day. Unique 12 Reasons Why We Should Celebrate Columbus Day designs on hard and soft cases and covers for iPhone 14, 13, 12, SE, 11, iPhone XS, iPhone X, iPhone 8, & more. 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. document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(s); s.async=true; s.src="http://widgets.amung.us/a_pro.js"; https://www.instagram.com/p/BojtcnmlBjE/?tagged=christophercolumbus. 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. They also suffered with dehydration. Yes, Columbus exposed the native peoples of the Americas to many atrocities, but you cannot apply the ethics of 2012 to the ethics held by people who lived in 1492. Columbus came for the gold, spices, and slaves. Sometimes I wonder if that is actually a good idea. How could we look at this from a different perspective? And thanks for reading this. This is why I love this book! Type your requirements and I'll connect 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Wed rather celebrate indigenous peoples, the original, real natives of America. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. The second Monday in October is celebrated nationally as Columbus Day, which has been a federal holiday since 1937. Columbus was in the neighborhood of the Caribs, a violent people who captured and consumed other human beings. From the Bible Columbus would have known the scientific fact that the earth is circular (Isaiah 40:22) and that there are watery paths (ocean currents in the ocean (Psalm 8:8). Meg Medina is First Latina National Ambassador for, 16 Films Featuring Latinx Talent Coming out in, From Reggaeton to Dominican Dembow. Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. For starters, Christopher Columbus didnt discover anything. We all own it. In the 1500s, people were curious about the world and wanted to advance so they explored, the explorers who discovered different things were regarded as heros but even though Christopher. Breaking News: Worlds Oldest Runestone Discovered in Norway! 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! George Orwell said, The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history. George Santayana said, Those who do not know historys mistakes are doomed to repeat them! Christians are like Columbus looking for a new world and a new body our Savior Jesus will give us at the rapture. The Stories Behind Seven of the Worst Massacres in Ancient History. Columbus Day, the second Monday in October, is a nationally recognized holiday. On October 11, 2021, America officially recognized the inhumane treatment that the Native Americans faced for centuries and honored the brave warriors who fought against the oppression and genocide of their people. Columbus Day is one of America's oldest patriotic holidays, first celebrated in the 18th century. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. Mo Rocca embarks on a journey to discover more about the explorer we honor each year. By 1516, there were 12,000. A day to remind ourselves that October 12, 1492 was the first day of . If we blame Columbus and the Spanish kings, we should also blame every other invader and conqueror in History. Please follow him or give him some claps please be sure thats in the plural if you enjoyed this. It has since not only become a patriotic American holiday, but also one that is celebrated as a day of pride and heritage by Italian-Americans, as Columbus' ancestry was Italian. 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. Bring them to the light, if you would. 5.Why Columbus Day Continues to Be Celebrated in Parts of the U.S. -- 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). We should not celebrate Columbus Day because Columbus was selfish, treated natives very poorly, and he never even landed on America. Columbus was brave and started the expedition 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. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. Columbus Day is one of the only holidays named after a person, Christopher Columbus. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. Cambridge, MA 02138, Challenges? When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. What most might not know is that Columbus sailed with 90 men on three different ships. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. Interests? Usable Knowledge But many would be killed if they did not accept Christ, even if they didnt understand what the Spanish were explaining to them. Columbus sailed regardless of the harsh conditions on the ship While there is only limited knowledge of what pre-Columbus America was like, it did feature war, slavery, torture and plenty of brutality. Christopher Columbus argued that because they lacked . ), Christopher Columbus initiated the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Why is he important? Market data provided by Factset. A new Marist poll finds 56 percent of Americans admire Columbus and support Columbus Day. For much of its history, the United States considered Columbus a man worthy of admiration. number: 206095338, E-mail us: We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. For more information on Columbus Day, check out Columbus: Fact vs. Fiction. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to proclaim Columbus Day as a federal holiday. [PDF] Should We Celebrate Columbus Day? Watch now to . uknow@gse.harvard.edu 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. He arrived in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. 8. With all that, there are reasons to celebrate Columbus Day. Violence against natives is often cited as a reason to not celebrate Columbus day. The day celebrates a fictionalized and sanitized version of colonialism, whitewashing generations of brutality that many Europeans brought to these shores. 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. Imagine if we just stopped suddenly celebrating Martin Luther Kings Day. Its a tradition to celebrate them. That year, President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus Day a legal holiday. Historical knowledge can help students create an argument to answer those questions. Columbus arrival is seen as the beginning of civilization in the Americas. But the trend to replace Columbus Day really gained traction in 2014, when cities such . I certainly agree that the violence and disease that followed Columbus' voyages was disturbing. Columbus couldnt be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldnt return. Juan was master and owner of the Nia, where Francisco is believed to have been a sailor/part of the crew (the brothers were also said to have taken part in Columbuss second and third voyages). These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to proclaim Columbus Day as a federal holiday. Jesus said to take the Lords Supper to remember His sacrifice! Did the Yuan Dynasty's Use of Paper Money Cause Hyperinflation? Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. He did introduce Europe to the New World but he was not even the first person to land in the Americas, like the myths would have you believe (Article 3). Despite these facts, we arent taught about the Nio brothers. By continuing well assume youre on board with our This federal holiday commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Sometimes it is hard to do all the work on your own. In 1892 the Pledge of Allegiance was written to honor him Some schools, cities, and institutions, such as the. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. Yes, we have a federal holiday on Christmas, but Ill put that in a special category (which well call religious.). For the first time this year some calendars dont mention Columbus Day but says October 11 is Indigenous Peoples Day. If America merely replaces the celebration of its racist roots of discovery with another celebration, it is destined to repeat its failures. Indigenous cultures are rich and diverse. They brought their music, art, philosophy, medicine and many other things to America. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. If they would have stopped sailing then they wouldnt have discovered America. In the year 1892, when President Benjamin Harrison declared Columbus Day a legal holiday, the Pledge of Allegiance was written. John Smith, and William Bradford had many stories to tell during their explorations of the new world. Like it or not, Columbus is a hero. 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. 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. People debate on whether Columbus discoveries were self-credited or. Warren H. Carroll describes the natives (the Taino people) as a gentle, happy, attractive people living peacefully in good ecological balance with their surroundings in Article The explorers took advantage of these good people, and we celebrate that as a national holiday. We need to own it. Here are three reasons we shouldn't celebrate Columbus Day, as a country. He was responsible for initiating the slave trade, and transporting hundreds of natives across the ocean to Spain on ships with inhumane conditions to be sold as slaves (Article 2). Italian America Magazine Freelance Guidelines, National Education and Leadership Awards Gala. Every year on the second Monday of October, the United States celebrates Columbus Day. Other traditions that we tend to have and celebrate include mothers and fathers day plus Christmas. essay, Factors Contributing to Christopher Columbus' Voyage, Write But Columbus couldnt deliver on the gold claim. @uknowhgse. Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. We all know that the ancient world was a violent place, but we often dont appreciate just how violent it was. Just bear in mind that the verb "colonize" and the terms "colony", and "colonial" derive from Columbus ("Colon", in Spanish spelling). Columbus actually thought he was in the East Indies. Very trying! sums it up for Daniel, creator of Stories Guaranteed to Make You Sick, Dr. Crankenfuss books, Moose Jokes, & now Practically News. They imprison petty criminals while sacking the nation's economy. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? It is true that the conquest of the Americas by Europeans, which starts with Columbus, was very ugly, and involved a lot of violence. Columbus Day is one of the only holidays named after a person, Christopher Columbus. Many of these protesters also see Christian Churches as offensive statues that must come down. Some mothers drowned their own babies to avoid them being fed to the dogs. I doubt it. If it wasn't for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldn't have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. He did reach the coasts of what today are Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as . 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. Currently, the Commission for Social Justice is collecting signatures to Save Columbus Day. 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. 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. He was in his youth believer in the theory of spherical. 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. It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. Click here to sign the petition. The arrival of Columbus in 1492 marks the beginning of recorded history in America and opened relations between the Americas and the rest of the world. A genocide happened in "the Americas," and it began with Columbus. 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. 7 Legendary Cryptids that Turned Out to Be Real! Again, it would be like breaking American tradition if we stopped celebrating Columbus Day. Indigenous cultures are under threat of extinction. One of the most remarkable is that of the so-called Spotted Lake in British Columbia, Canada. Two years later, the United Nations declared Aug. 9 as International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Columbus would give someone a pendant to wear around his or her neck. If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm8ejX5lr2-/?tagged=christophercolumbus. 48 Vitosha Boulevard, ground floor, 1000, Sofia, Bulgaria Bulgarian reg. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. Its a great time to start buying for Christmas and save. Hence, the inducement cited above.). #knowyourhistory #happyindigenouspeoplesday #thetruthshallsetyoufree #christophercolumbuslies #christophercolumbusisamurderandterrorist @repostapp, A post shared by Chantal Lorenzo (@poetic_justice80) on Oct 10, 2016 at 7:11am PDT. I am not saying that he was perfect. 20 University Rd., 6th Floor And those multiple viewpoints may help engage students who might feel otherwise unrepresented in a history class, such as females and students of color. Scholars 7. Columbus Personified the American Spirit Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Italian heritage. Columbus Day Should Be Abolished. The origin of Columbus Day is questionable. (Strangely and sadly most of these same people celebrate their or others abortions.) If you dont like it, well kill you.) Besides that, there is ample evidence of Leif Erickson and his fellow Vikings landing in Newfoundland/Labrador around five centuries earlier.