Of course, Christopher Columbus was Italian, and his day . What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? For the first time this year some calendars don't mention Columbus Day but says October 11 is Indigenous Peoples' Day. Dominant narratives tend to speak about heroes in a simple sense; counternarratives can be much more critical. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. They have no iron. But its not recognized in Los Angeles, where I live. 2023 PapersOwl.com - All rights reserved. The Vikings sailed to, and colonized parts of Newfoundland, Canada, around AD 1000. . Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. If Columbus had been an Englishman, or a Frenchman, would have they behaved in a different way? In 1927, Chicago's outer drive, connecting the city's North and South Sides, was renamed for Leif. 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. I remember learning about Columbus as a young child and I was in awe learning about the explorer. While there is only limited knowledge of what pre-Columbus America was like, it did feature war, slavery, torture and plenty of brutality. 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. After his voyage to America, he became one of the most well known explorers of his time. When confronted with evidence to the contrary, he simply could not conceive of the the idea that he might be wrong. To get a custom and plagiarism-free essay. Growing up in St. Croix, I had a fairly typical U.S. education with fairly typical U.S. textbooks as far as I can remember. In our opinion, this is something to celebrate, not the arrival of Christopher Columbus who led the way for these indigenous populations to have their culture decimated and their population murdered, displaced or forced into slavery. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus 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. As of September 2019, nine states (Alaska, Minnesota, Vermont, South Dakota, New Mexico, Oregon, Maine and Louisiana) have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day. Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. 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. Even the Iroquoian peoples, located in present Northeast United States, often took slaves of other tribes. Growing up, I wasnt exposed to this truth. He sailed to Iceland and Ireland in 1477, and to Madeira in 1478. And, while we celebrate Columbus Day, we can learn from history and also take time to honor Native Americans. Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/two-reasons-why-columbus-day-should-not-be-celebrated/. By 1555, there were zero full-blooded natives left on the island. The main reason some Leftists dont want to celebrate Christopher Columbus is because his actions supposedly led to the genocide of Native American peoples. Yet, despite all the gruesome sacrifice and slavery, some still wish to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day. Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. The Knights of Columbus lobbied state legislatures to legalize the holiday. Although it has been a tradition in the United States to recognize this day as a federal holiday for many years, whether Christopher Columbus' actions merit celebration is now being questioned, and rightly so . Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should 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! 2. The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day, commemorating indigenous, aboriginal and native people.. The first complete mapping of a Neanderthal genome took place about five years ago - supporting the human-Neanderthal hook-up and also showing that Neanderthal DNA in humans is a thing. Columbus was definitely a brave and courageous (and lucky) captain, but his navigational skills left a lot to be desired. Lets stop idolizing people in history who dont deserve it. For all the reasons listed above, and for how he acted during his stay in the Americas, Christopher Columbus should not be remembered as a voyaging adventurer who discovered America. Reference list: Herman Lindquist, Christopher Columbus var han riktigt klok, Fischer, 1992. I believe thats the tact to take when looking at Chris. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. Many people believe that Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday because Christopher Columbus was a terrible person. Well, the tough thing about labeling someone as good or bad is the definitions change with the times. The White House is pushing National Coming Out Day as a way of changing the subject. He would have peoples ears and noses cut off as punishments. Who Destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria? Columbus never stepped foot on North American soil. matter in the end. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. Examine Columbuss "discovery" of America. He shows the effect of willpower and perseverance. Throughout the history of civilization, the concept of the apocalypse has been ever present, in one way or another. And now Ill claim it for us! Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, University Overrules Student Senate Activists; Recognizes Conservative Club, A Mansion, Yemen, and Stories of Gods Goodness, Tennessee and Mississippi Pass Bills to Protect Children from Harmful Sex Change Procedures. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! However, his other two ships on his first voyage were the Santa Clara and the Gallega. Italian heritage. (He had plenty of different ships on subsequent voyages.). This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. It consisted mostly of about 12,000 public school students grouped into 20 regiments, each commanded by a principal. Howard Zinns A Peoples History of the United States includes horrific, detailed eyewitness accounts of how the Spanish explorers treated the Native Americans. Columbus was taking advantage of opportunities to find goods by getting the help of slaves. Very much like the lyrics of the famous She may be ancient Egypts most famous face, but the quest to find the eternal resting place of Queen Nefertiti has never been hotter. Lately a lot of people have been putting down Western civilization, but its spread is one of the greatest things thats ever happened to humanity. While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . "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. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. 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. 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. Nefer Say Nefer - Was Nefertiti Buried in the Valley of the Queens? On his second voyage, he landed at Hispaniola, Cuba, and Jamaica among others. Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide. Our writers can help you with any type of essay. hen, on his fourth, final voyage, he landed at present-day Panama. 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. For privacy reasons, she has previously written on Ancient Origins under the pen name April Holloway, but is now choosing to use her real name, Joanna Gillan. Sorry, Mr. Despite not finding any of the places that his favorite books described (places in China, India and Japan), he convinced himself that they were just around the corner. Back in 1492, Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, where he. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. And most believe the idea came from their familys time in Iceland. However, a circumspect understanding of history offers numerous reasons why Columbus should not only be celebrated, but . (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. Indigenous Peoples Day: Why it's replacing Columbus Day in many places. Fine, fine But he did discover America right? Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the "New World" (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a master navigator and admiral. He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. "Endless testimonies.prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. Why is he important? Specifically, he is credited with being the first European explorer since the Vikings to explore the New World for Europeans. 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. For instance, they lay out what specific textbooks omitted about Columbuss involvement with the slave trade and genocide. April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. Since then, it's spread across the. Large Increase in U.S. . Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. 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? Yet in the past few decades, something has changed. 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. Interests? It doesn't make sense for the United States to recognize this supposed Christian with ashow more content Based on my experience, I think its vitally essential that teachers engage kids as young as sixth grade in questions that really interrogate Columbus. Columbus stood to gain significant wealth and power from his voyage, terms he negotiated with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. I doubt it. But Columbus couldnt deliver on the gold claim. So before waving the US flag in celebration of a criminal who did not discover America, spare a thought for the millions of Native Americans who were murdered as a result of Christopher Columbus arrival on American soil. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Market data provided by Factset. 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. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. Yes, we have a federal holiday on Christmas, but Ill put that in a special category (which well call religious.). Christopher Columbus is just one of those English adaptations someone felt was preferable to pronouncing a foreign sounding name. Had he have given up, the world would be drastically different today. Lastly, I would contend that historical figures should be honored by their great achievements, and not their mistakes or weaknesses. Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. 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. The plan was to join up once theyd gotten the backing they needed. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. Columbus and his men raped and mistreated the slaves, especially young girls through ages nine and ten. Between 1482 and 1485 Columbus traded along the Guinea and Gold coasts of tropical West Africa and made at least one voyage to Elmina, Ghana. After all of this, he made four transatlantic voyages to the new world beginning with his first famed voyage in 1492. St. Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins, native peoples lived in these places all along. Yet, many continue to believe that America owes its discovery to Christopher Columbus. Columbus couldnt be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldnt return. After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. 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. 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. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. I'm not the only Italian American on board with ditching the holiday. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. But, again, no mainland United States.