Columbus Day is a United States federal holiday that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. 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. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. (Sarcasm intended.) Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. Why would an academic system praise someone who was so blatantly evil? While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . your personal assistant! If Columbus is Off Limits to Celebrate, so are Indigenous Peoples. Other times they would go and massacre an entire village. 5 Reasons to Celebrate Columbus Day as a Symbol of Diversity 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. The Andy Griffith Show Remains a Masterclass in Leadership and Life, Births in Japan Fall to Record Low Amid Catastrophic Population Decline, Foretelling Worlds Future. The New York Society of Tammany also honored Columbus of his first voyage with the marking of his 300th anniversary. We need to own it. By 1555, there were zero full-blooded natives left on the island. Marist shows that even with all of the attacks on Columbus, 57 percent of Americans believe it's. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . Diseases were spread and were not able to be resisted by the sick slaves. Many states celebrate both. The king wrote, We in his name will receive you with love and charity, respecting your freedom and that of your wives and sons and your rights of possession and we shall not compel you to baptism unless you, informed of the truth, wish to convert to our holy Catholic faith., Columbuss drive for exploration was religious. -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. Yes, this guy didnt commit genocide. This was a sign of things to come. 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? After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. There were terrible diseases that got communicated to the natives, but he cant be blamed for that., 5. This criticism had quickly faded over time, and was replaced by a more pressing issue; the improper treatment towards indigenous people. That alone is worth celebrating.". Growing up, I wasnt exposed to this truth. The Controversy Over Columbus Day Celebrations - ThoughtCo Once upon a time, teachers celebrated Columbus Day by leading children in choruses of song about the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Then they would sail away together to claim their riches. Examine Columbuss "discovery" of America. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. It is perhaps worth revisiting the two distinct reasons why we celebrate Columbus Day in the first place, and . If it wasn't for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldn't have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. Two Reasons why Columbus Day should not be Celebrated, This example was written and submitted by a fellow student. The Vikings sailed to, and colonized parts of Newfoundland, Canada, around AD 1000. 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. Yeah. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Despite the time that has passed, Columbus Day still remains a subject that most people would rather not think about. Why We Shouldn't Celebrate Columbus Day - Her Campus Thankfully, Columbus Day has morphed into Indigenous Peoples Day. The main reason Columbus Day draws opposition is because of how the explorer's arrival to the New World affected Indigenous people. . Now theres a deed worth celebrating every year! 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. Many people believe that Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday because Christopher Columbus was a terrible person. Why should we celebrate a man who promoted and distributed so much violence when we can celebrate and honor the history of Indigenous people? And Washington, D.C., this week renamed the holiday, pending congressional approval. What Columbus Day Really Means - The American Scholar We dont know exactly where this is, but its most likely one of the islands that make up modern-day Bahamas. And most believe the idea came from their familys time in Iceland. Large Increase in U.S. It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. In fact, that might have been a good neighbor, whereas today That neighbor would find themselves in jail. Why Columbus Day is worth defending and celebrating Columbuss men also killed off slaves whenever needed. For any subject. Unfortunately, many irksome doings lay deep under the surface. And those multiple viewpoints may help engage students who might feel otherwise unrepresented in a history class, such as females and students of color. - IPL.org; 7.Why We Should Not Celebrate Columbus Day - IPL.org; 8.Why Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated Essay . Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+! Why are we celebrating him? All rights reserved. This essay is available online and might have been used by another student. 10 Reasons Why We Celebrate Columbus Day - TipTopTens.com Which, of course, led to a demand for more slaves. It was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that designated the second Monday of October (Columbus Day) as a national holiday in 1971. Like Andrew Jackson, Christopher Columbus is a historical figure who is celebrated as a mythical hero. What Columbus did next was nothing less than shameful. Why Columbus Day isn't really a national holiday According to a recent poll, 79% of college students support such a change. Many believe that they sailed even further south, maybe as far as New Brunswick. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day. However, a circumspect understanding of history offers numerous reasons why Columbus should not only be celebrated, but . Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! 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. First, lets just put aside the paradox of discovering a land that already had a population of indigenous people. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. The plan was to join up once theyd gotten the backing they needed. He led the way for future colonists to settle the United States. Columbus stood to gain significant wealth and power from his voyage, terms he negotiated with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. We all own it. 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. On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. Another reason why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is because it promotes a distorted view of history. And, while we celebrate Columbus Day, we can learn from history and also take time to honor Native Americans. 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. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. Columbus and St. Croix Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. The American Indian Movement, among other groups, have gone as far as to state that the continuous celebration of this holiday is oppressive towards Native Americans. Architecture of the Floating (Or Sinking) City: How Was Venice Built? If it wasnt for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldnt have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. Like most Americans, I learned in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Ingrained in my mind are the names of his ships: The Nina, The Pinta and the Santa Maria. And if you can, take some time to learn more about all the diversity that makes the Caribbean great. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Why We Shouldn't Celebrate Columbus Day Essay - Bartleby Until his dying day Columbus maintained that the land he had discovered was Asia and not a new continent. Zachary Mettler works as a staff writer and communications liaison for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family. The first reason for why Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated is because he committed mass genocide against the Native Americans. If we have a holiday honoring somebody, the question on everyones mind should be, Why are we honoring them? By REAGAN ESCUD SCOTT / Monday, October 10, 2022. 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. Religion was heavily forced upon the Native American tribes, and the Europeans means of dealing with their obstacles run much more inhumane. (Remember, they werent well versed in Spanish. -- 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). Columbus Day vs Leif Erikson Day: Who 'Discovered' America? | Time But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. 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 . Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. 4. Why Christopher Columbus shouldn't be celebrated - The Snapper He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. Christopher Columbus, as it turned out, was responsible for widespread genocide; he permitted his men to rape, murder, mutilate and enslave indigenous people. The next obvious question is: well, if thats not his name, what were the names of his famous ships? The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. Once we do this, Columbus Day can be a truly inclusive holiday. 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. I dont think its ever too young. There, the brothers should have been exposed to the adventures of another explorer: Leif Erickson. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. Yet, many continue to believe that America owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus. Columbus Day as a federal holiday: Time to end it? | Pro/Con - Inquirer.com This conflict between reality and fiction is what makes Columbus Day one of the most controversial holidays in America. Upon arriving in the New World, one of the first observations Columbus made with regards to the indigenous people was the following: They do not bear arms, and do not know them, for I showed them a sword, they took it by the edge and cut themselves out of ignorance. This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. Why more people are celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day 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. Christopher Columbus wasnt American! Columbus Day was a solution to a problem that most people didn't know existed. There are several reasons why Columbus Day has become controversial. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day - Red Letter Christians 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. If I sailed to Italy and said that I discovered this land in the name of Rowan University it wouldnt fly right? It neednt be a battleground, but a chance to celebrate the best within us. He asked for 3 more days, and if land was not sighted, the crew could do with him as they wished. After Columbus established the first Spanish colony at La Isabela, on the north coast of Hispaniola (modern-day Dominican Republic), relations between the Spanish and the indigenous population quickly deteriorated. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Fine, fine But he did discover America right? 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Historical knowledge can help students create an argument to answer those questions. Cambridge, MA 02138, Challenges? Among the reasons cited for the Columbus Day federal holiday was that it was being observed in 40 states at the time. The truth about Columbus Day, explained | Salon.com Just bear in mind that the verb "colonize" and the terms "colony", and "colonial" derive from Columbus ("Colon", in Spanish spelling). April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. Colorado did so on April 1, 1907. These Natives are so nice, wed be crazy not to enslave them is one contentious quote by Christopher Columbus. Dominant narratives tend to speak about heroes in a simple sense; counternarratives can be much more critical. The idea that Christopher Columbus discovered "The New World" is one of the great fallacies of history. Hoping to bring fresh perspectives to topics like race & politics, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. James Loewens Lies My Teacher Told Me, and his shorter Lies My Teacher Told Me about Christopher Columbus, critique how textbooks have covered Columbus. He finally ended up getting a sponsorship with the Spanish crown, and was off to explore the world. Why Columbus Day Continues to Be Celebrated in Parts of the U.S. So partly, out of spite, here are a few reasons why Columbus Day shouldnt be celebrated. We shouldn't be wasting our time on holidays that won't even. 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. How Columbus Sailed Into U.S. History, Thanks To Italians 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. Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. 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. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. They would make fine servants. PDF what is now Haiti. During this first trip to what Columbus thought was
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