5 reasons why columbus day should not be celebrated

But many would be killed if they did not accept Christ, even if they didnt understand what the Spanish were explaining to them. 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. When Columbus landed on the island of Guanahani in 1492, North and South America were . -- 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 stood to gain significant wealth and power from his voyage, terms he negotiated with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. uknow@gse.harvard.edu The Vikings sailed to, and colonized parts of Newfoundland, Canada, around AD 1000. Columbus and St. Croix Dating back around 200 years, the nonreligious had been adverse to this celebration. He decimated the native population. He sailed to Iceland and Ireland in 1477, and to Madeira in 1478. On his 1492 voyage, Chris landed on a number of islands including some in the Bahamas very close to mainland Florida. Pay the writer only for a finished, plagiarism-free essay that meets all your requirements. How could we look at this from a different perspective? Equipping students to grapple with the complexities of the past and the controversies of today, By grappling with the question of who we celebrate, and why, history teachers can help students navigate the complexities of the past, Resurfacing the lessons of Ferguson, which continue to resonate today, From Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, Theres definitely a trend toward questioning Columbus Day. We dont know exactly where this is, but its most likely one of the islands that make up modern-day Bahamas. 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. But, again, no mainland United States. The war against the Western heritage. If it wasn't for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldn't have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. (You may want to add this into the equation.). 'Green Card Warrior' Nick Adams weighs in on 'Fox & Friends First.'. Furthermore, Columbus continued to enslave Natives and abuse their nation, damage their environment, and their rights as humans. 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. 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. Columbus Personified the American Spirit. Thankfully, Columbus Day has morphed into Indigenous Peoples Day. Her Campus may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The statue of Christopher Columbus remains encased in a wooden box on Marconi Plaza Aug. 12, 2020, as the sun sets on the day the Philadelphia Art Commission voted to remove it and store it while the city deliberates on a new permanent home for the controversial monument. Another reason why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is because it promotes a distorted view of history. So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). Two reasons why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is that we shouldnt 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. It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. Columbuss Native American slave trade morphed into the African slave trade by the mid-16th century. Market data provided by Factset. He even made his crew swear an oath that Cuba was not an island but indeed the mainland of Asia, and that China could be reached overland from there. Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. If it wasnt for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldnt have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. First, lets just put aside the paradox of discovering a land that already had a population of indigenous people. But heres the kicker. He read books, studied the ocean, and made a name for himself. He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. When I got to high school and learned the truth about Columbus I felt betrayed. All islands I would love to visit on a single trip. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. 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. Indigenous Peoples Day: Why it's replacing Columbus Day in many places. Every Columbus Day I am forcibly reminded of my hatred for Christopher Columbus. Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and well deliver the highest-quality essay! Columbus was a brutal and cruel man who . Columbus was from a middle class family. SHOULD CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BE CELEBRATED? With three boats, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, he set out in search of a better trade route to India. Jarrett Stepman also writes in his book The War on History, What is never explained is why so-called indigenous peoples are worthy of celebration if Columbus is not. 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. (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. 97 students ordered this very topic and got (Only 23 states give their workers a paid day off to celebrate it, according to a 2013 Pew poll). Our writers can help you with any type of essay. When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. ). Some schools, cities, and institutions, such as the. 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. European settlers not only introduced new diseases to the Americas that wiped out scores of Indigenous people, but also warfare, colonization, enslavement, and torture. But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. She is a national writer at Her Campus and the former editor-in-chief of Her Campus Rowan. Columbuss men also killed off slaves whenever needed. In a racially equal world, Columbus shouldn't be celebrated. On his first voyage, Columbus promised the crew on his three ships (Santa Maria, Pinta and Santa Clara) that the first person who spotted land would receive a lifetime pension. A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. Or maybe even plan to discover your own new-to-you islands! 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. Based on my experience, I think its vitally essential that teachers engage kids as young as sixth grade in questions that really interrogate Columbus. Throughout the history of civilization, the concept of the apocalypse has been ever present, in one way or another. He asked for 3 more days, and if land was not sighted, the crew could do with him as they wished. To get a custom and plagiarism-free essay. Now that the truth is becoming more widely known, people are pressuring their communities to stop celebrating Columbus Day. Or better yet, follow him. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. 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. His contract with the monarchs, called The Capitulations. The initial recorded Columbus Day celebration in the United States was on October 12, 1792. Ancient Chinese Earthquake Detector Invented 2,000 Years Ago Really Worked! Within a few decades, only a few hundred of an original native population of 300,000 remained. In fact, there is proof that the Chinese, Greeks and Italians, all explored America before Columbus. "Ignore the propaganda and instead remember Christopher Columbus with gratitude and a clear conscience. (Sarcasm intended.) I dont think its ever too young. Not just Europeans, but everyone. And thanks for reading this. If Columbus is Off Limits to Celebrate, so are Indigenous Peoples. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. Large Increase in U.S. Back in 1492, Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, where he. 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. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. It not only invalidates the legitimacy of the natives people claim to their land but also projects the notion that the natives arent people at all. In 1927, Chicago's outer drive, connecting the city's North and South Sides, was renamed for Leif. The Lefts hatred of Columbus is predicated on the idea that he represents the tyrannical, western force that colonized the Americas at the expense of those already living here. He was a man of faith for whom God provided, and his discovery led to the eventual establishment of the Western values we know and seek to preserve today. . Cathedrals are some of the most awe-inspiring structures in the world, with their grandeur and intricate details captivating visitors for centuries. Ironically, the District of Columbia is named after, you guessed it, Christopher Columbus. So partly, out of spite, here are a few reasons why Columbus Day shouldnt be celebrated. Below are five reasons why Columbus Day celebrants can hold their head high in 2019 rather than kowtow to guilt-based politics. This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. And maybe only one reason to celebrate. Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). Columbus Day was supposed to recognize the greatness of all of America's people, but especially Italians and Native Americans. Many states celebrate both. In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. And hes credited for marking the establishment of institutionalized slavery in the West Indies. 2023 PapersOwl.com - All rights reserved. It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He would have peoples ears and noses cut off as punishments. He was turned down from the Portuguese crown, Genoa crown, Venice crown, and English crown. In the early morning hours of the third day on October 12, the lookout . It is known by many as to what had happened after Americas discovery. Examine Columbuss "discovery" of America. . Sorry, Mr. "To date, these are the oldest traces of human existence in the Americas," said archaeologist Niede Guidon who has headed a mission to carry out large-scale excavation of Piaui's interior since the 1970's. Along and through History, conquerors have had violent behaviour. But you didnt discover a place that was already inhabited by a peaceful group of people. What were his actual contributions? Those are important questions we want to ask as citizens. Its 2020 people. 20 University Rd., 6th Floor On October 11th, 2021 its 529 years since Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, or Cristoforo Colombo as he was probably known in his native Genoa, landed on the island San Salvador. 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. As awareness has grown about the catastrophic effect his discovery had on Americas indigenous populations, it has increasingly been viewed as a disaster rather than triumph, and rightly so. 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. I discovered America. These Natives are so nice, wed be crazy not to enslave them is one contentious quote by Christopher Columbus. Sure, Chris had been sailing since age 14. A main argument for the idealization of the 15th century explorer is the idea that he was the first European to discover the Americas. Thats a lesson for later. 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. Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. Unfortunately, many irksome doings lay deep under the surface. And the D.C. City Council recently approved a measure to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. Reference list: Herman Lindquist, Christopher Columbus var han riktigt klok, Fischer, 1992. Likewise, Thomas Jefferson, also a slave owner, should be remembered for writing one of the most brilliant documents in the history of mankind, the Declaration of Independence, which contributed greatly to the ending of slavery and segregation in the United States. For this nation's over 5 million American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian citizens, Columbus' voyages to the so-called New World inaugurated a long history of exploitation, enslavement, eradication, and erasure (and he himself initiated and sanctioned such actions). Land was first spotted by Rodrigo de Triana, a lookout on the Pinta, and thereafter by its captain Martin Alonso Pinzo, who notified Columbus. Why does learning about what Columbus did to Native Americans still matter today? Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. 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. Although Columbus Day remains a national holiday, given the criticism surrounding the day, some states and cities have opted to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day instead. 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. Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day? Here are my main reasons why I refuse to celebrate Columbus Day: 1. That's my nephew, Trinidad, reveling in the joys of Caribbean sailing somewhere between St. Croix and Buck Island aboard Teroro II. Here Are Some Reasons Why. And to see that it is not the essence of Columbus, but rather part of the times. Although many people have adopted Columbus day as "Indigenous People's Day," many people will not agree that we should also have a holiday . Columbus never even came to this country! Columbus Day, the second Monday in October, is a nationally recognized holiday. 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. Understanding controversies what Columbus did, how he did it, whether we should be commemorating him builds skills that are fundamental for understanding history and social studies. matter in the end. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. An angry mob decided to drag them. And eventually hundreds of years of African slave trade but uhm, OK, fine, he was a monster. This essay is available online and might have been used by another student. It is claimed by these people that the enjoyment and simplicity of Columbus day is almost a mask or distraction to divert the people from the many indigenous lives lost after the discovery of the New World. Americans, for all our faults, love adventure. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. That alone is worth celebrating.". "Reason: he may have discovered America before Columbus; Columbus is now commonplace as . (Remember, they werent well versed in Spanish. And now Ill claim it for us! Or Napoleon Bonaparte Day, for that matter. 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. Its Cristoforo Colombo. 4. Columbus day is a controversial holiday, but one that should be celebrated. As part of this plan, Spaniards aimed to convert native peoples to Christianity. This has started to cause a change, and many cities within America have taken on a remuneration for the controversial holiday. . When Columbus first landed on American soil he was met by the Arawak native Americans. On his third, he named Trinidad and landed in present-day Venezuela. Berkeley originally replaced Columbus Day with show more content. Legal Statement. Many of those enslaved would die, and were then easily replaced by some brought from the Bahamas. 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. It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the "New World" (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. Though flawed, Columbus was a great man with an adventurous spirit, sailing the seas to prepare to establish a new world. In short, today is Christopher Columbus Day, and we should all celebrate that. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. 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 . And in general, we want to students to engage with controversy. I dont think that we should start childrens education by saying that the country is built on the genocide of a group and the enslavement of another. 2. 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? Adults Especially Gen Z Identifying as LGBT. He would cut off the hands of people living in what now is Haiti for not bringing him enough gold every three months. Stupid but hopeful. Curious, politically homeless, always hopeful. Jarrett Stepman writes at The Daily Signal, While Columbus, and certainly his Spanish benefactors, had an interest in the goods and gold he could return from what they thought would be Asia, the explorers primary motivation was religious., 3. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A recent Marist Poll shows why: Those campaigning against Columbus Day are in the minority. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. About the author: Daniel Berenson contributes to Medium now and then in this case now with original and unique views on such things as squirrels, politics, fairy tales, history, and Spanish telenovelas. By 1555, there were zero full-blooded natives left on the island. 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 . Yes, we have a federal holiday on Christmas, but Ill put that in a special category (which well call religious.). This was due to the impression that Columbus was attempting to spread Catholic influence. There are many good reasons as to why Columbus Day is such a controversial holiday. Hi! Don't know where to start? Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. Those left were forced to work in mines and plantations. (He did follow his big brother to the Caribbean two years later.). The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day, commemorating indigenous, aboriginal and native people.. Both in an effort to secure funding for their expedition. So the discovery of the Western Hemisphere should go to Erickson, no? Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. To begin, some people think Columbus is a hero because he found America, which is not true. Like Andrew Jackson, Christopher Columbus is a historical figure who is celebrated as a mythical hero. So why Columbus Day? Columbus Day was a solution to a problem that most people didn't know existed. The opposition towards Christopher Columbus did not commence in todays society, or even the 21st century. 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. Except, once Chris had succeeded in Spain, he didnt wait for his brother. 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. If the commemorations dealt at all with the impact of European exploration on the indigenous civilizations already flourishing in these discovered lands, it was often fleeting. Turning points are powerful lenses through which students need to view our past. 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. Without Columbus, the age of exploration wouldnt have been inspired in the way that it was, and has a vital place in American history. This conflict between reality and fiction is what makes Columbus Day one of the most controversial holidays in America. Columbus Day's only silver lining may be found at historically significant sites throughout the Caribbean that connect us to history. Listen I know almost everyone celebrated in history enslaved people. Yeah. Read more TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer by Staff Reports Please follow him or give him some claps please be sure thats in the plural if you enjoyed this. This kept them from planting crops, leading to widespread starvation. With as simple of a description as that, one would wonder why so much controversy arises from a legal American holiday. Herman Lindquist, Christopher Columbus var han riktigt klok, Fischer, 1992, Captivating History, Christopher Columbus: A Captivating Guide to the Life of an Italian Explorer and His Voyages to the Americas, Captivating History, 2020, Encyclopdia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-Columbus. Hence, the inducement cited above.). History, in fact, is the story of conquest. Read More Historical knowledge can help students create an argument to answer those questions. In fact, the result of Columbuss voyages was mass, Columbus didnt do too well as a governor of these new lands. By REAGAN ESCUD SCOTT / Monday, October 10, 2022. I doubt it. Now, I got nothing against thousands of virgins or a good story. There are several reasons why Columbus Day has become controversial. Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert. Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. Once we do this, Columbus Day can be a truly inclusive holiday. Despite the time that has passed, Columbus Day still remains a subject that most people would rather not think about. Published: October 7, 2021 8.23am EDT Updated: October 7, 2021 9.53am EDT. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. And thats even if you discount the fact that native peoples lived in these places all along. There were already people living wherever he landed. Dominant narratives tend to speak about heroes in a simple sense; counternarratives can be much more critical. When he was only 23. he had the idea of going to India, China and Japan. We should honor George Washington, the Indispensable man, for his military bravado and skilled leadership as our first president, even though he owned slaves. The main reason Columbus Day draws opposition is because of how the explorer's arrival to the New World affected Indigenous people. Mudlarker Finds Bronze Age Shoe on a UK Riverbank Dated 2,800 Years Old! Chris wasnt a bad guy right? But I think considering the fact that Columbus also enslaved a group of people who were otherwise peaceful to him should be noted. We are a hopeful species. In 1892, a joint congressional resolution prompted President Benjamin Harrison to mark the "discovery of America by Columbus," in part because of "the devout faith of the discoverer and for the. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. Lets look at Columbus himself, to see if he meets the definition. Since then, it's spread across the. In any case, we know for a fact that Europeans traveled to America almost 500 years before Columbus. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. The holiday is typically observed on the second Monday in October. Columbus and his men raped and mistreated the slaves, especially young girls through ages nine and ten. or redistributed. Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. If we have a holiday honoring somebody, the question on everyones mind should be, Why are we honoring them? We shouldn't be wasting our time on holidays that won't even. Captivating History, Christopher Columbus: A Captivating Guide to the Life of an Italian Explorer and His Voyages to the Americas, Captivating History, 2020 Why would an academic system praise someone who was so blatantly evil? We all own it. Columbus Day was invented by the Knights of Columbus in the 1930s when they were looking for a role model for school age children. Indigenous Peoples' Day now replaces Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 communities. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. With all that, there are reasons to celebrate Columbus Day. After his voyage to America, he became one of the most well known explorers of his time. Very trying! sums it up for Daniel, creator of Stories Guaranteed to Make You Sick, Dr. Crankenfuss books, Moose Jokes, & now Practically News. Until his dying day Columbus maintained that the land he had discovered was Asia and not a new continent. Columbus wanted to test this idea. Italian heritage. 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. The Knights of Columbus lobbied state legislatures to legalize the holiday. He should be remembered as the cruel and incompetent man he was who let his sailors rape and pillage the islands they landed on as they pleased. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Not if we cant celebrate Christopher Columbus. All rights reserved. Truth of Discovery Normally, the notion of discovery means encountering a place or an idea for the very first time.. However, a circumspect understanding of history offers numerous reasons why Columbus should not only be celebrated, but . "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. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. While deprivations did occur, Columbus was quick to punish those under his command who committed unjust acts against local populations Columbus did not engage in the savage acts that have been pinned on him., In addition, Columbus strictly told the crew not to do things like maraud, or rape, and instead to treat the native people with respect.

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