5 reasons why columbus day should not be celebrated 5 reasons why columbus day should not be celebrated

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. When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. But its hard for children to understand that someone who they were taught to idolize is a bad guy. The act moved Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day and the new Columbus Day holiday to Mondays. Historical knowledge can help students create an argument to answer those questions. Chris went to Spain and Bart to France. They were the original immigrants to the New World, and deserve their remembrance. I'm not the only Italian American on board with ditching the holiday. CONTACT US: Harvard Graduate School of Education Columbus was a brutal and cruel man who . 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. He thereby claimed the lifetime pension for himself, cheating the rightful claimant out of both glory and a significant amount of money. Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. And eventually hundreds of years of African slave trade but uhm, OK, fine, he was a monster. Columbus Day is one of the oldest holidays in the USA Observing Columbus Day started back in the 18th century. 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. 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. 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. Wrong, it was his younger brother Bartholomews. 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 . Three other states New Mexico, Maine, Vermont followed suit this year. 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. Most of us can remember the day when Americans still seemed to like Christopher Columbus. Market data provided by Factset. It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. Many books and videos show depictions of vast work forces hewing blocks of stone in the hot desert sun and carefully setting them into place. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. 1. 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. Christopher Columbus, as it turned out, was responsible for widespread genocide; he permitted his men to rape, murder, mutilate and enslave indigenous people. After you read both, let us know what you think by posting a comment. Yes, this guy didnt commit genocide. Columbus and his men raped and mistreated the slaves, especially young girls through ages nine and ten. I discovered America. Historical Figures Should Be Viewed in Light of Their Greatest Achievements, Not Their Worst Mistakes. His first impression of the Arawaks, one of the first peoples he encountered, was . Thats a lesson for later. It doesn't make sense for the United States to recognize this supposed Christian with ashow more content Not just Europeans, but everyone. Dating back around 200 years, the nonreligious had been adverse to this celebration. Aside from the despicable acts that Columbus and his people committed, there is plenty of evidence to show that Columbus was not the first foreigner to arrive on the continent anyway. . 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. Columbus couldn't be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldn't return. 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. Religion was heavily forced upon the Native American tribes, and the Europeans means of dealing with their obstacles run much more inhumane. matter in the end. 97 students ordered this very topic and got As I said in the beginning of this piece, Columbus did not discover what would become North America. Listen I know almost everyone celebrated in history enslaved people. One of the best parts of our humanity is that sense of discovery. James Loewens Lies My Teacher Told Me, and his shorter Lies My Teacher Told Me about Christopher Columbus, critique how textbooks have covered Columbus. Because thats public history. According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti. Many people believe that Columbus Day should not be a federal holiday because Christopher Columbus was a terrible person. 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.. Yeah. 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. Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and well deliver the highest-quality essay! By 1516, there were 12,000. What were his actual contributions? Those are important questions we want to ask as citizens. Even the Iroquoian peoples, located in present Northeast United States, often took slaves of other tribes. The pro for Columbus Day written by John Wirt. So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). 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. ," Jake Flanagin explains why many are arguing it . It also became clear that there are many reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day. For any subject. And if you can, take some time to learn more about all the diversity that makes the Caribbean great. However, his other two ships on his first voyage were the Santa Clara and the Gallega. Columbus Did Not Discover North America. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. Without him, the modern world would not be the way it is today. With all that, there are reasons to celebrate Columbus Day. But Columbus couldnt deliver on the gold claim. According to, Columbus believed that he was playing a part in a divine plan to Christianize the world. 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? And, sure he was directly responsible for the enslavement, torture, mutilation, and murder of tens of thousands of Native American people in the Caribbean islands during his quest for riches. Ahh, well, brothers will be brothers. In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. This essay is available online and might have been used by another student. (You may want to add this into the equation.). Columbus didnt know shit about geography! Thankfully, Columbus Day has morphed into Indigenous Peoples Day. He was the catalyst that brought more explorers across the Atlantic, who would eventually begin to explore North America, but it is . 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. Or better yet, follow him. Chat with professional writers to choose the paper writer that suits you best. Why is Columbus Day being renamed? Unfortunately, many irksome doings lay deep under the surface. What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? The New York Society of Tammany also honored Columbus of his first voyage with the marking of his 300th anniversary. In a racially equal world, Columbus shouldn't be celebrated. 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. We should celebrate Indigenous People's Day instead. Lets look at Columbus himself, to see if he meets the definition. Why would an academic system praise someone who was so blatantly evil? In his role, he writes about current political issues, U.S. history, political philosophy, and culture. 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. Columbus Day's only silver lining may be found at historically significant sites throughout the Caribbean that connect us to history. With fifty men we could subjugate them all and make them do whatever we want.. Get in touch! @uknowhgse. There are several reasons why Columbus Day has become controversial. Architecture of the Floating (Or Sinking) City: How Was Venice Built? Of course, Christopher Columbus was Italian, and his day . But by then he was hardly the first European. Marist shows that even with all of the attacks on Columbus, 57 percent of Americans believe it's. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The Zinn Education Project also includes a bunch of primary sources related to Columbus, such as writings by Bartolom de La Casas. However, it was his brother, the cartographers idea to sail West. 20 University Rd., 6th Floor Our writers can help you with any type of essay. "Endless testimonies.prove the mild and pacific temperament of the natives. Land was first spotted by Rodrigo de Triana, a lookout on the Pinta, and thereafter by its captain Martin Alonso Pinzo, who notified Columbus. Though he didnt discover America, he was the person to show the rest of the developed world that there was more far away lands. Christopher Columbus is just one of those English adaptations someone felt was preferable to pronouncing a foreign sounding name. Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/two-reasons-why-columbus-day-should-not-be-celebrated/. SHOULD CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS BE CELEBRATED? In fact, the result of Columbuss voyages was mass, Columbus didnt do too well as a governor of these new lands. And most believe the idea came from their familys time in Iceland. There, the brothers should have been exposed to the adventures of another explorer: Leif Erickson. 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College, Who do we celebrate, and why? These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. A recent Marist Poll shows why: Those campaigning against Columbus Day are in the minority. Columbus day is a national holiday that many countries (not all) in the USA celebrate to mark the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. And in general, we want to students to engage with controversy. Columbus Day, which is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year, has become a controversial subject for many people. For example, a neighbor taking a stick and beating your child as some kind of punishment might have been perfectly fine at one time. original papers. Archaeologists have been able to take a closer look at one of the United Kingdoms most famous shipwrecks. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a master navigator and admiral. He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. Columbus wanted to expand knowledge about the world and what more it consisted of by going across the ocean. Until the mid-1700s, Christopher Columbus was not widely known among most Americans. The attack on Columbus Day is a major facet of the cultural . 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. 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. He and his crew were greeted with smiles, gifts and food. And the D.C. City Council recently approved a measure to abolish Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples Day. Until his dying day Columbus maintained that the land he had discovered was Asia and not a new continent. After his voyage to America, he became one of the most well known explorers of his time. In an era where we are fighting for racial equality celebrating false heroes is detrimental to progress. 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. After a few weeks sailing, he landed in the present day Bahamas. He initiated a turning point in our history. Had he have given up, the world would be drastically different today. He was turned down from the Portuguese crown, Genoa crown, Venice crown, and English crown. April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. For a long time, Columbus discovery of America was an universally celebrated event, both in Europe and America. Since then, its spread across the nation with increasing speed, as more than 60 cities from Maine to Washington have supported the idea. Throughout the history of civilization, the concept of the apocalypse has been ever present, in one way or another. Within a few decades, only a few hundred of an original native population of 300,000 remained. 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. AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. 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 . 'Green Card Warrior' Nick Adams weighs in on 'Fox & Friends First.'. The plan was to join up once theyd gotten the backing they needed. Here are my main reasons why I refuse to celebrate Columbus Day: 1. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. We still have to understand the time he was born but Christopher Columbus. Ironically, the District of Columbia is named after, you guessed it, Christopher Columbus. And Bart was left behind on the cutting room floor of history. Everything that he did sounded like it was so whimsical and as a young child yearning for an adventure I idolized him. Every Columbus Day I am forcibly reminded of my hatred for Christopher Columbus. Two Reasons why Columbus Day should not be Celebrated, This example was written and submitted by a fellow student. Here are three reasons we shouldn't celebrate Columbus Day, as a country. 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. 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. Sorry, Mr. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, On his 1492 voyage, Chris landed on a number of islands including some in the Bahamas very close to mainland Florida. But what exactly does it mean to be civilized? Who Destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria? Specify your topic, deadline, number of pages and other requirements. (He had plenty of different ships on subsequent voyages.). This is also apparent when he was trying to get sponsorships for the trips. So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). Sure, Chris had been sailing since age 14. So why Columbus Day? If we have a holiday honoring somebody, the question on everyones mind should be, Why are we honoring them? And those multiple viewpoints may help engage students who might feel otherwise unrepresented in a history class, such as females and students of color. Columbus Day means that finally, America was economically assimilated to Europe, in those times peopled by Western dominant civilizations. Destiny is currently enrolled in Columbia University's MFA Writing program. Columbus wanted to test this idea. 1. Indeed, the promise of the West has delivered freedom and bounty such as humanity has never known. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. Areas within Texas and California began celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day as a means of pointing the spotlight on the natives, rather than Columbus himself. She is a national writer at Her Campus and the former editor-in-chief of Her Campus Rowan. Is Columbus' tomb in the Dominican Republic or Seville? Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) is generally considered to be a great explorer during the Age of Exploration . Nefer Say Nefer - Was Nefertiti Buried in the Valley of the Queens? 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. As a direct result of Columbus discovery, indigenous Americans were enslaved, killed and oppressed to such a degree that a population of around 60 million in 1492, fell by 8090% in less than 150 years. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. But heres the kicker. 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. Cathedrals are some of the most awe-inspiring structures in the world, with their grandeur and intricate details captivating visitors for centuries. (BTW, you can find a list of over 40 of his articles here.). If Columbus had been an Englishman, or a Frenchman, would have they behaved in a different way? For instance, they lay out what specific textbooks omitted about Columbuss involvement with the slave trade and genocide. Columbus Day is a United States federal holiday that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Despite the time that has passed, Columbus Day still remains a subject that most people would rather not think about. Fine, fine But he did discover America right? Columbuss actions arent taken into consideration as much as they should be. 2. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Columbus killed a tremendous amount of people (genocide), and got away with it because of better equipment, men and control. 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. Zachary Mettler works as a staff writer and communications liaison for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family. 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). Henry IV of Spain known as "The Impotent" for his weakness, both on the throne and (allegedly) in the marriage chamber died in 1474. Columbus was taking advantage of opportunities to find goods by getting the help of slaves. Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. Columbus was wrong of course, and needless to say, he didnt actually discover anything the Americas had already been inhabited for thousands of years. This is where many of the peaceful natives were met with brutal deaths onboard, whether it be from disease or mistreatment from the handlers. In 1927, Chicago's outer drive, connecting the city's North and South Sides, was renamed for Leif. But our work was to exasperate, ravage, kill, mangle and destroy; small wonder," -Bartolome Las Casas, 1527. An angry mob decided to drag them. Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. But that, for better or worse, is how history worked pretty much everywhere for thousands of years. Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. "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. Spanish conquistadors couldn't believe their eyes while exploring the rugged terrain of the Andes during their invasion of Peru. 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. Today's woke perspective condemns Columbus Day as an unworthy holiday. That alone is worth celebrating.". Columbus set a precedent for exploration of the new world. So, enjoy the day off and celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day. On October 12,1792was when it was first celebrated. And thanks for reading this. History comes with an agenda. (And yes, I also know many other discoverers have been posited through the ages. uknow@gse.harvard.edu (Not that the West solely had these ideas, but it put them in a package that wasnt generally available elsewhere.). Most people know of the great construction achievements of the dynastic Egyptians such as the pyramids and temples of the Giza Plateau area as well as the Sphinx. This follows both Minneapolis and Seattle, which adopted the new. 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. It was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that designated the second Monday of October (Columbus Day) as a national holiday in 1971. There are many good reasons as to why Columbus Day is such a controversial holiday. As known by many, Columbus Day commemorates the discovery of the New World by none other than Christopher Columbus himself. "It's difficult to think there exists a site anywhere with a higher concentration of cave art.". Christopher Columbus was a murderer, rapist, and thief who did not actually find America, but indeed only visited a land where Native Americans have already been living. Lastly, I would contend that historical figures should be honored by their great achievements, and not their mistakes or weaknesses. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. Back in 1492, Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, where he. History, in fact, is the story of conquest. If you still think Columbus Day is something worth celebrating, here are five other reasons why it isnt: After studying a handful of his favorite books, including the journals of Marco Polo, Columbus became convinced that it was possible to sail directly west to reach the Indies, as China, Japan and India were then known as in Europe. 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. This new day was first adopted in Berkeley, California in 1992. I think history teachers have a responsibility to prepare students to comment critically and participate critically in the discourse about who we are honoring, who we are celebrating, and how we are doing it. 4. Howell Public Schools Stance on Mask Mandate, In person school, more beneficial to kids. St. Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins, native peoples lived in these places all along. But its not recognized in Los Angeles, where I live. We are a hopeful species. 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. You need to be able to deeply understand the profoundly problematic past of this great nation. Stupid but hopeful. Curious, politically homeless, always hopeful. 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). But many would be killed if they did not accept Christ, even if they didnt understand what the Spanish were explaining to them. 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. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. Columbus was a brilliant man in his own right. 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. If we cannot honor anyone in human history that did not have flaws or imperfections, we cannot honor anyone at all. 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. We need to set the record straight early on. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a. Among the reasons cited for the Columbus Day federal holiday was that it was being observed in 40 states at the time. Columbus Day was a solution to a problem that most people didn't know existed. In his free time, Mettler enjoys reading, running, hiking, backpacking, and walking his dog. Another reason why Columbus Day should not be celebrated is because it promotes a distorted view of history. And Im not one to turn down a national holiday for a day off work! 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. 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. Many states celebrate both. Americans have the right to celebrate whatever they chose, but the history behind Columbus Day is not to be ignored. Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). Colorado did so on April 1, 1907. 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. Although many people have adopted Columbus day as "Indigenous People's Day," many people will not agree that we should also have a holiday . Certain states and localities have moved away from celebrating Christopher Columbus, and now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.