The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. 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. And if you can, take some time to learn more about all the diversity that makes the Caribbean great. Published: October 7, 2021 8.23am EDT Updated: October 7, 2021 9.53am EDT. Columbus tortured and murdered many thousands of native peoples. The war against the Western heritage. A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. 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. There were terrible diseases that got communicated to the natives, but he cant be blamed for that., 5. But you didnt discover a place that was already inhabited by a peaceful group of people. However, it was his brother, the cartographers idea to sail West. 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. 1. Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo, California State University - Los Angeles, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, California State University, Channel Islands, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, Interamerican University of Puerto Rico San German campus, Keiser University - Latin American Campus, London School of Economics and Political Science, California State University of Sacramento, Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, William Paterson University of New Jersey. And Erickson was certainly as European as Columbus (at least in todays geographical terminology.) And, while we celebrate Columbus Day, we can learn from history and also take time to honor Native Americans. To get a custom and plagiarism-free essay. The New World was discovered within the same timeframe as when slave trade had begun to arise. Growing up, I wasn't exposed to this truth. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day. Some committed suicide to avoid subjugation, others fled, but many rebelled. He initiated a turning point in our history. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. Why does learning about what Columbus did to Native Americans still matter today? Top 5 Reasons NOT to Celebrate Columbus Day And 1 Reason To History comes with an agenda. So, no, Columbus did not discover the New World.. 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. Consider how the first Columbus Day parade in New York was described in the newspapers. Monday marks Columbus Day, in honor of Christopher Columbus but not all will be celebrating the Italian explorer. Other times they would go and massacre an entire village. 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. In his free time, Mettler enjoys reading, running, hiking, backpacking, and walking his dog. Except, once Chris had succeeded in Spain, he didnt wait for his brother. Columbus Day was supposed to recognize the greatness of all of America's people, but especially Italians and Native Americans. Based on my experience, I think its vitally essential that teachers engage kids as young as sixth grade in questions that really interrogate Columbus. As an anti-paean to a holiday most Americans hardly acknowledge (unless they get a day off), here are a list of reasons that we should remove Columbus Day from our list of federal holidays. On his second voyage, he landed at Hispaniola, Cuba, and Jamaica among others. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a master navigator and admiral. He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. The slaves were to do most of Columbuss dirty work, as he was highly demanding of gold, crops, and land, which caused many of the slaves to be malnourished and sick. Mother and Child Reunion Of Thetis And Achilles, Seductive Sirens of Greek Mythology and How Heroes Resisted Them, Celestial Goddess Selene: The Ancient Greek Goddess of the Moon, Pegasus of Greek Mythology: Majestic Winged Horse of Mount Olympus, Dreams of Human-Powered Flight: Daedalus and the Story of Icarus, The Warriors Who Shaped African History: The Horsemen of Oyo, Royal Mistress Jane Shore Walked Streets of London in her Underwear, Leonardo Da Vincis Notes Show He Understood Gravity Long Before Newton, Talks Begin on Repatriating Remains of Patrick Sarsfield, Irish War Hero, The Ramessid Dynasty: A Golden Era in Ancient Egypt, Unraveling the Mystery of the Carnac Stones: An Ancient Puzzle of Epic Proportions, Unraveling the Enigma of Aramu Muru, The Mysterious Gate of the Gods. 2. As a result, in 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Columbus Day into law as a way to celebrate the hero who changed the world (Bragdon 12). Back in 1492, Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, where he. -- Celebrate the spread of Western civilization. She is a national writer at Her Campus and the former editor-in-chief of Her Campus Rowan. 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. But its hard for children to understand that someone who they were taught to idolize is a bad guy. Columbus should not be celebrated, let alone given a day. Columbus was a brutal and cruel man who . If it wasnt for Columbus, the motivation for exploration and expansion wouldnt have become a priority because nobody knew about the Americas. 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. -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. All rights reserved. First, lets just put aside the paradox of discovering a land that already had a population of indigenous people. 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. Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. His father was a wool weaver, and cheese stand owner. 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. hen, on his fourth, final voyage, he landed at present-day Panama. 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. 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 tried to build and has transformed the America we have today. 1. Always trying. If Columbus is Off Limits to Celebrate, so are Indigenous Peoples. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Until his dying day Columbus maintained that the land he had discovered was Asia and not a new continent. 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. It neednt be a battleground, but a chance to celebrate the best within us. "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. By 1555, there were zero full-blooded natives left on the island. The Chilling Mystery of the Octavius Ghost Ship, Film Footage Provides Intimate View of HMS Gloucester Shipwreck, Top 8 Legendary Parties - Iconic Celebrations in Ancient History, The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth Behind the Black Legend (Part II), The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth behind the Dark Legend (Part I), Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan, Dizzying Inca Rope Bridges Were Grass-Made Marvels of Engineering, Two Centuries Of Naval Espionage In Europe, Research Confirms That 20% of the Neanderthal Genome Can Be Found In Modern Humans, The Curious Apparitions of Pagan Goddesses to the German Knights Templar, The origins of human beings according to ancient Sumerian texts, Evidence that Noahs Ark Landed on a Mountain 17 Miles South of Ararat, Library in Stone: The Ica Stones of Professor Cabrera Part I, Two Sides to Every Story: The North American Martyrs Shrines and Indigenous/ Roman Catholic Relations, The Origins of the Faeries: Encoded in our Cultures Part I, Curse of the Buried Pearl: The Hunt for Ancient Treasures Part I, The Enigma of the Shugborough Inscription, Christopher Columbus: Master Double Agent and Portugals 007, Roman Sword discovered off Oak Island radically suggests Ancient Mariners visited New World 1,000 years before Columbus. 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. Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert. 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. 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 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. Cathedrals are some of the most awe-inspiring structures in the world, with their grandeur and intricate details captivating visitors for centuries. Stupid but hopeful. Curious, politically homeless, always hopeful. Fine, fine But he did discover America right? Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. 4. Congress also believed the holiday would mark the contribution of immigrants to the United States. Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+! Columbus killed a tremendous amount of people (genocide), and got away with it because of better equipment, men and control. 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. Columbus Is Innocent of Most of the Charges Against Him, Christopher Columbus was not perfect, but he is innocent of most of his alleged crimes. With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. But Columbus couldnt deliver on the gold claim. Most Americans didn't even know much about Columbus until Washington Irving yes, that Washington Irving wrote. Columbus Day. He would have peoples ears and noses cut off as punishments. This was due to the impression that Columbus was attempting to spread Catholic influence. (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. 1. While we are thankful for this land we call America, it . Even though Eratosthenes (Greek mathematician living in Alexandria, Egypt, Columbus never discovered anything. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. The Knights of Columbus lobbied state legislatures to legalize the 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. The holiday is typically observed on the second Monday in October. Ironically, the District of Columbia is named after, you guessed it, Christopher Columbus. Columbus Did Not Discover North America. 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. First of all, Christopher Columbus isnt even his name. Though it was disputed for many years, there is conclusive evidence that Neanderthals bred with modern humans (Homo sapiens). The initial recorded Columbus Day celebration in the United States was on October 12, 1792. One of the few facts Americans remember from history is "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492 If I sailed to Italy and said that I discovered this land in the name of Rowan University it wouldnt fly right? Then they would sail away together to claim their riches. So, yes, in 1498 and 1502, he did reach the continental Americas. One of the best parts of our humanity is that sense of discovery. 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. After his voyage to America, he became one of the most well known explorers of his time. (2020, Aug 20). After a few weeks sailing, he landed in the present day Bahamas. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. They were the original immigrants to the New World, and deserve their remembrance. This is also apparent when he was trying to get sponsorships for the trips. In fact, there is proof that the Chinese, Greeks and Italians, all explored America before Columbus. And maybe only one reason to celebrate. Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. The evil deeds of Columbus far outweigh the few accomplishments he achieved. It is on public record, that Columbus rewarded his soldiers by giving them Native Americans to rape. The Zinn Education Project also includes a bunch of primary sources related to Columbus, such as writings by Bartolom de La Casas. Not just Europeans, but everyone. (He had plenty of different ships on subsequent voyages.). Personally, I dont think we should celebrate Columbus Day. Lastly, I would contend that historical figures should be honored by their great achievements, and not their mistakes or weaknesses. There are several reasons why Columbus Day has become controversial. -- 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). A recent Marist Poll shows why: Those campaigning against Columbus Day are in the minority. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a. This was a sign of things to come. So partly, out of spite, here are a few reasons why Columbus Day shouldnt be celebrated. So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). Hoping to bring fresh perspectives to topics like race & politics, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. We need to set the record straight early on. 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. Norimitsu Odachi: Who Could Have Possibly Wielded This Enormous 15th Century Japanese Sword? On his third, he named Trinidad and landed in present-day Venezuela. Since August, eight cities have replaced Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples' Day, including several in just the last week. Get the recap of top opinion commentary and original content throughout the week. (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! Columbus Day is one of the oldest holidays in the USA Observing Columbus Day started back in the 18th century. Yet in the past few decades, something has changed. 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? Columbus went on forth with a lot of violence, such as cutting off a slaves nose/hands to signify power against them. That is, South and Central America to be exact. Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. Mettler earned his Bachelors degree from William Jessup University and is an alumnus of the Young Leaders Program at The Heritage Foundation. Columbus stood to gain significant wealth and power from his voyage, terms he negotiated with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. But, again, no mainland United States. If the world was round, this was possible, he thought. "Reason: he may have discovered America before Columbus; Columbus is now commonplace as . We all own it. Columbus didnt know shit about geography! The plan was to join up once theyd gotten the backing they needed. This essay is available online and might have been used by another student. I believe thats the tact to take when looking at Chris. 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? Howell Public Schools Stance on Mask Mandate, In person school, more beneficial to kids. 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. Since then, it's spread across the. Indigenous Peoples' Day now replaces Columbus Day in 14 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 communities. 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. your personal assistant! (Not that the West solely had these ideas, but it put them in a package that wasnt generally available elsewhere.). And he was a talented astronomer and navigator. According to, Columbus believed that he was playing a part in a divine plan to Christianize the world. Christopher Columbus may have been a daring adventurer but he is not someone we want our kids to think of as a hero or role model. Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! And Im not one to turn down a national holiday for a day off work! And thanks for reading this. The opposition towards Christopher Columbus did not commence in todays society, or even the 21st century. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. When Columbus landed on the island of Guanahani in 1492, North and South America were . In 1927, Chicago's outer drive, connecting the city's North and South Sides, was renamed for Leif. She likes thrifting, romance novels, cooking shows, and can often be found binging documentaries. Many states celebrate both. Columbus Day was invented by the Knights of Columbus in the 1930s when they were looking for a role model for school age children. (You may want to add this into the equation.). Historical Figures Should Be Viewed in Light of Their Greatest Achievements, Not Their Worst Mistakes. 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. I doubt it. Growing up, I wasnt exposed to this truth. And now Ill claim it for us! The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. And the D.C. City Council recently approved a measure to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. In another case, some people think Columbus was a hero because he represents a leader who went far and beyond to find America. In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. The pro for Columbus Day written by John Wirt. Americans have the right to celebrate whatever they chose, but the history behind Columbus Day is not to be ignored. Despite the time that has passed, Columbus Day still remains a subject that most people would rather not think about. With three boats, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria, he set out in search of a better trade route to India. Our writers can help you with any type of essay. And most of all, I was taught of his discovering America. Yes, this guy didnt commit genocide. October 11, 2021 5:00 am. Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. We need students to understand that Columbus is important, even if he isnt someone to be celebrated. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Of course, I learned that everyone expected him to sail off the edge of a flat earth into space or sea monsters or something. Sorry, Mr. So, enjoy the day off and celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. . Here Are Some Reasons Why. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. Columbuss Native American slave trade morphed into the African slave trade by the mid-16th century. This movement sees Columbus as a symbol of destruction, and thus not to be celebrated. Sure, Chris had been sailing since age 14. Why is Columbus Day being renamed? Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. 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. And #5 gets worse. Specifically, he is credited with being the first European explorer since the Vikings to explore the New World for Europeans. I'm not the only Italian American on board with ditching the holiday. 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. Colorado did so on April 1, 1907. All rights reserved. There are many examples in his writings where he gave instructions to this effect. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. Berkeley originally replaced Columbus Day with show more content. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. In the early morning hours of the third day on October 12, the lookout . The New York Society of Tammany also honored Columbus of his first voyage with the marking of his 300th anniversary. To realize this dream, they split up. Furthermore, Columbus continued to enslave Natives and abuse their nation, damage their environment, and their rights as humans. He wrote in his log: They brought us parrots and balls of cotton and spears and many other things they willingly traded everything they owned 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. They would make fine servants With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. At times, they would make an example of a Native by cutting his hands off and tying them around his neck, then telling him to go and 'share the message' with the rest of his tribe. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. Indeed, Columbus was mostly benign in his interaction with native populations. South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day, in 1990, electing to go with Native Americans' Day. After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. He never set foot on any part of the 50 United States. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The con for Columbus Day written by Elliot Lassitter. Bring them to the light, if you would. But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. 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. Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/two-reasons-why-columbus-day-should-not-be-celebrated/. He thereby claimed the lifetime pension for himself, cheating the rightful claimant out of both glory and a significant amount of money. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage.