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5.Why Columbus Day Continues to Be Celebrated in Parts of the U.S. If we have a holiday honoring somebody, the question on everyones mind should be, Why are we honoring them? Christopher Columbus found the Americas, but today he. 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. As part of this plan, Spaniards aimed to convert native peoples to Christianity. The day celebrates a fictionalized and sanitized version of colonialism, whitewashing generations of brutality that many Europeans brought to these shores. and terrible, however, we cannot forget that violence went both ways and that is how history has sadly, largely worked for thousands of years. PhDessay is an educational resource where over 1,000,000 free essays are Originally designated to celebrate Christopher Columbuss discovery of America, post offices and banks are closed, and stores hold major sales. He may have been brave for sailing out to find new places, but he was extremely greedy and killed, captured, and tortured people to gain money and power. 1 1.The Left Hates Christopher Columbus. Indeed, the promise of the West has delivered freedom and bounty such as humanity has never known. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to proclaim Columbus Day as a federal holiday. Order custom essay Should We Celebrate Columbus Day? The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. On his return trips to . The First Declaration of Indigenous Peoples Day had as its first action item "to observe October 12, the day of so-called 'discovery' of America, as an international day of solidarity with the indigenous peoples of the Americas.". Millions of people across the USA chose to honor Columbus and all that he accomplished. They imprison petty criminals while sacking the nation's economy. The Stories Behind Seven of the Worst Massacres in Ancient History. While some view Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian-American heritage, others see it as a celebration of European exploration and colonization. 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. Once upon a time, teachers celebrated Columbus Day by leading children in choruses of song about the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. Christopher Columbus however, does not show many admirable qualities. Columbus came for the gold, spices, and slaves. Today, many tend to use Columbus as their scapegoat for sins that might have been committed over 500 years ago by the non-Native Americans. We should be honoring culture that was lost all and the native people that died the instead of the man who killed them. On his first trip in 1492, Columbus encountered the indigenous Lucayan Tano/Arawak on Guanahani (todays San Salvador Island in the Bahamas). Columbus Day is one of America's oldest holidays. He decimated the native population. Christopher Columbus should not be celebrated because he committed mass genocide, forced slaves, and wiped out an entire population. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. During June 2020 Christopher Columbus statues were destroyed in seven American cities. https://www.instagram.com/p/BojtcnmlBjE/?tagged=christophercolumbus. Columbus Day is one of the only holidays named after a person, Christopher Columbus. Not only did Christopher Columbus not discover anything, but he had zero respect for those who already lived in the areas he visited. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. Paul Ratner. 7 Legendary Cryptids that Turned Out to Be Real! Need urgent help with your paper? He would have peoples ears and noses cut off as punishments. The Feast of Epiphany: Who Were The Three Kings and Where Did They Come From? Venus Figurines Fertility Symbols, Portraits, Dolls, or Upper Paleolithic Porn? Wellesley should not celebrate Columbus Day, but instead Indigenous Peoples' Day. 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. 4. Contrary to popular belief, Columbus Day is a celebration of. Celebrated in the U.S. on the second Monday in October, Columbus Day commemorates the discovery of the Western hemisphere by Christopher Columbus and the beginning of European colonization.. I strongly believe that Columbus day should not be celebrated because of the torture, slavery, and lying that was caused by him. (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. In fact, the Pledge of Allegiance was written in 1892 in honor of the 400th anniversary of his first voyage. People might think that they might have had easy sailing but actually it was just the opposite. Columbus sailed regardless of the harsh conditions on the ship After Columbus, millions of European immigrants brought their art, music, science, medicine, philosophy and religious principles to America. What does your state celebrate? October 11, 2021 5:00 am. 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 national holiday in many countries of the Americas and elsewhere, and a federal holiday in the United States, which officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, at Guanahan, an island in the Bahamas, on October 12, 1492.. Christopher Columbus (Italian: Cristoforo Colombo [kristforo kolombo]) was a Genovese-born explorer . Type your requirements and I'll connect Take advantage of Columbus Day sales Stay Out of the Water: Does a Prehistoric Shark Still Live in the Ocean? 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. 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College, Who do we celebrate, and why? It's blatantly disrespectful to celebrate the start of colonialism and genocide. Some argue against celebrating Columbus as a historical figure due to the violence and . Market data provided by Factset. Columbus said, All those who heard about my enterprise rejected it with laughter, scoffing at me Columbus said he got encouragement from the Bible. What great leader doesnt make mistakes? They found the only way to fully understand their present was to look back and remember their past. Martin Luther was another famous one who wasnt perfect but we still remember him for everything that he did. From "Teaching Tolerance" Directions: Your written or oral response is required on the bolded sections of this document. //= $post_title 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. So the discovery of the Western Hemisphere should go to Erickson, no? Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. 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. For the first time this year some calendars don't mention Columbus Day but says October 11 is Indigenous Peoples' Day. 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. Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492, and Columbus Day 2022 occurs on Monday, October 10. In recent years, however, people have challenged this national holiday due to the lasting harm Columbus has left this country in. While it isnt spotless, to pretend something didnt happen, or to degrade the forefathers who created our remarkable nation, is counterproductive and dangerous. Even so, we never created Columbus Day to celebrate whatever evils he did, caused, or allowed. -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. Two years later, the United Nations declared Aug. 9 as International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Why is Columbus Day being renamed? Italian America Magazine Freelance Guidelines, National Education and Leadership Awards Gala. What most might not know is that Columbus sailed with 90 men on three different ships. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. And to see that it is not the essence of Columbus, but rather part of the times. And #5 gets worse. He initiated a turning point in our history. Can We at Least Cancel the D-List Historical Racists? Originally designated to celebrate Christopher Columbus's "discovery" of America, post offices and banks are closed, and stores hold major sales. Columbus killed natives, stole gold, and never even landed on America. He took a chance along with all of the people on board with him. Columbus Day is one of Americas oldest holiday, and is a patriotic holiday. Columbus Day honors a cruel, greedy man who killed hundreds of innocent people. 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. 2019 Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in Americasm. 5. . His first impression of the Arawaks, one of the first peoples he encountered, was . 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. #abolishcolumbusday #columbusday #3generations #adifferentamericandream #mniwaconi, A post shared by 3 Generations (@3_generations) on Oct 6, 2018 at 1:15pm PDT. Columbus Day is one of America s oldest holidays. What resulted was genocide, rape, mutilations and a variety of other atrocities. Columbus was in the neighborhood of the Caribs, a violent people who captured and consumed other human beings. Christopher Columbus wouldnt have arrived to the Americas without the assistance of the Nio Brothers, a Spanish family of African descent. However, despite his mistakes we owe him a lot for discovering the new world. God disposes! 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. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. -- Celebrate the spread of Western civilization. In October we celebrate the man who found America. collected. 2. Columbus couldn't be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldn't return. By the eleventh century Vikings, who were early Scandinavians, had not only visited but already had established settlements in North America (Article 2). The USA was shaped due to a lot of the contributions from the European culture. He might have been the first one to discover all of America but was the first to start the expedition to discover new land. He arrived in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. He may have been brave (Article 5), but that does not change the fact that he practically wiped out a whole culture and started a slave trade between Spain and the Americas (Article 2). Meg Medina is First Latina National Ambassador for, 16 Films Featuring Latinx Talent Coming out in, From Reggaeton to Dominican Dembow. The Beast with an insatiable Hunger for Human Flesh, The Awe-Inspiring Karnak Temple Complex and Vatican of Ancient Egypt. 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. Worshipping great men has been a dominant way of looking at history. Columbus stole gold and valuables from native people, often killing to get them, and brought them back to Spain. They were the original immigrants to the New World, and deserve their remembrance. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. you to an academic expert within 3 minutes. Has the Function of the Great Pyramid of Giza Finally Come to Light? Christopher Columbus didnt even discover Guanahani (todays San Salvador Island) in 1492. Natives were murdered for refusing to convert to Catholicism. They pit our government against itself and us against our government. These ships were called the Nina, Santa Maria and the Pinta. He did make a few mistakes. 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. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. What were his actual contributions? Those are important questions we want to ask as citizens. It might even show a sign of disrespect to the artists who took their time to make these monuments. 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. The great navigator Columbus Mr. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) navigator Spain famous and pioneering major geographical discoveries in human history. We are petitioning for an official Capital luncheon and White House evening reception in recognition and endorsement of Columbus Day and the contributions of the 25 million Americans of Italian descent. Based on my experience, I think its vitally essential that teachers engage kids as young as sixth grade in questions that really interrogate Columbus. 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 gave hope across the land in dark times. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. Always trying. 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. Christopher Columbus day is meant to celebrate the man who discovered America. Monday, Oct. 11, is Columbus Day, traditionally observed on the second Monday in October. Save time and let our verified experts help you. Click here to sign the petition. Breaking: Ancient Royal Tomb Discovered in Egypt. The Mysterious Man from Taured Evidence for a Parallel Universe? October 10, 2014 4:43 PM EDT. He had many qualities that seemed to be admirable and a lot of people were proud of him. How could we look at this from a different perspective? Jesus said to take the Lords Supper to remember His sacrifice! 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? Columbus never even came to this country! The Dramatic True Story Behind Disney's Mulan, The Legendary Powers of a Seventh Son of a Seventh Son, Eight Bizarre Superstitions from Ancient History, Han Purple: A 2,800-year-old artificial pigment that quantum physicists are trying to understand, 6 Shockingly Successful Ancient Warfare Tactics, 6 Advanced Ancient Inventions Beyond Modern Understanding. Columbus couldnt be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldnt return. How weird is that?! People debate on whether Columbus discoveries were self-credited or. 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. It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. He did open up the islands for trade with Europe and bring in a lot of money for Spain (and himself), but he was not responsible for colonizing the mainland. Columbus Day represents not only the accomplishments and contributions of Italian Americans, but also the indelible spirit of risk, sacrifice and self- reliance of a great Italian icon that defines the United States of America. The information shared above about the question, 1.The Left Hates Christopher Columbus. In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue, or at least, that's what they told you in Kindergarten class. History already is moving us to a better place. [PDF] Should We Celebrate Columbus Day? The Zinn Education Project also includes a bunch of primary sources related to Columbus, such as writings by Bartolom de La Casas. John Smith, and William Bradford had many stories to tell during their explorations of the new world. "Talk of an . Did you know that we have over 70,000 essays on 3,000 topics in our I doubt it. Indigenous cultures are rich and diverse. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the New World (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. As if . The Vikings were actually the first non natives to discover America. 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. Even perpetually leftward NPR admitted today . The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. The disease that Columbus and his men brought to the New World were responsible for wiping out most of the population. These contributions have helped shape the United States and include Greek democracy, Roman law, Judeo-Christian ethics and the belief that all men are created equal. 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. Canadas Spotted Lake: The Most Alien-Looking Lake on Earth, The Legendary Emerald Tablet and its Secrets of the Universe. 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. 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