Even the Iroquoian peoples, located in present Northeast United States, often took slaves of other tribes. 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. However, because Columbus brought disasters to the Native Americans, many people opposed the Columbus celebrations. In fact, there is proof that the Chinese, Greeks and Italians, all explored America before Columbus. Colorado did so on April 1, 1907. 2. 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. Columbus Day commemorates the landing of Columbus in the "New World" (on a small island off Florida) on October 12, 1492. According to a recent poll, 79% of college students support such a change. Here are three reasons we shouldn't celebrate Columbus Day, as a country. Though he didnt discover America, he was the person to show the rest of the developed world that there was more far away lands. Columbus was taking advantage of opportunities to find goods by getting the help of slaves. And now Ill claim it for us! 97 students ordered this very topic and got We should celebrate Indigenous People's Day instead. According to, Columbus believed that he was playing a part in a divine plan to Christianize the world. It neednt be a battleground, but a chance to celebrate the best within us. 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. 2023 President and Fellows of Harvard College, Who do we celebrate, and why? Sure, he was addicted to opium, but a lot of people were at the time. Christopher Columbus is just one of those English adaptations someone felt was preferable to pronouncing a foreign sounding name. And thanks for reading this. That alone is worth celebrating.". Dominant narratives tend to speak about heroes in a simple sense; counternarratives can be much more critical. Analysis Of Columbus Day Controversy By Nannette Croce Columbus Day celebrations date back to 1792, when New York City celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landfall. or redistributed. 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. It is perhaps worth revisiting the two distinct reasons why we celebrate Columbus Day in the first place, and . Americans have the right to celebrate whatever they chose, but the history behind Columbus Day is not to be ignored. As I said in the beginning of this piece, Columbus did not discover what would become North America. 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. On his second voyage, he landed at Hispaniola, Cuba, and Jamaica among others. 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. 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. By 1516, there were 12,000. Hire a verified expert to write you a 100% Plagiarism-Free paper. After a few weeks sailing, he landed in the present day Bahamas. The main reason some Leftists dont want to celebrate Christopher Columbus is because his actions supposedly led to the genocide of Native American peoples. 1. Why We Do Not Celebrate Columbus Day. All islands I would love to visit on a single trip. He was turned down from the Portuguese crown, Genoa crown, Venice crown, and English crown. Why We Shouldn't Celebrate Columbus Day Essay - Bartleby We need to own it. 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. 10+ why columbus day should not be celebrated essay most standard (BTW, you can find a list of over 40 of his articles here.). In fact, that might have been a good neighbor, whereas today That neighbor would find themselves in jail. Columbus couldnt be killed without angering the Italian court, so Queen Isabella sent him on a mission, hoping he wouldnt return. Why We Should Not Celebrate Columbus Day | ipl.org When confronted with evidence to the contrary, he simply could not conceive of the the idea that he might be wrong. The things Columbus did such as capturing the Natives as slaves just made him the man of his time, saying everyone did this, and that he needed the help anyway. For if we celebrate Columbus, we are celebrating a racist genocide, massive land robbery, barbaric slavery, serial rape and systemic torture. Historical Figures Should Be Viewed in Light of Their Greatest Achievements, Not Their Worst Mistakes. It was first celebrated on October 12, 1792, when the New York Society of Tammany honored Columbus on the 300th anniversary of his first voyage. 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? His first impression of the Arawaks, one of the first peoples he encountered, was . He finally ended up getting a sponsorship with the Spanish crown, and was off to explore the world. His father was a wool weaver, and cheese stand owner. They also show evidence that at least 12 other groups of people entered the Americas before Columbus. It took tremendous bravery to sail off into the unknown. There has been much debate over whether or not Columbus Day should be celebrated. Why Do We (Still) Celebrate Columbus Day? - Learning for Justice Columbus Day's only silver lining may be found at historically significant sites throughout the Caribbean that connect us to history. Should Columbus Day Be Replaced With Indigenous Peoples Day? -- Celebrate the spirit of exploration. 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. Washington, D.C., has joined hundreds of U.S. cities in seven states in replacing Columbus Day with a day to celebrate Native Americans. But as I grew older, it became clear that history is murky. Its 2020 people. Most of us can remember the day when Americans still seemed to like Christopher Columbus. The New World was discovered within the same timeframe as when slave trade had begun to arise. 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 maybe only one reason to celebrate. Columbus was definitely a brave and courageous (and lucky) captain, but his navigational skills left a lot to be desired. 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. Should the United States continue to celebrate Columbus Day? 10 Reasons Why We Celebrate Columbus Day - TipTopTens.com More States Say Goodbye to Columbus Day | The Pew Charitable Trusts 5 Things to Know About Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day Italian heritage. If instead of Columbus, a Chinese marine had arrived first and "colonized" America, would be blaming the Chinese for the destruction of American civilizations? 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. Europe, Asia and Africa, of course, suffered through numerous plagues of their own.). It requires looking at dominant narratives and counternarratives. And in general, we want to students to engage with controversy. Three other states New Mexico, Maine, Vermont followed suit this year. Destiny is currently enrolled in Columbia University's MFA Writing program. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a. The Columbus controversy can also help students see that history is still applicable today. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Among the reasons cited for the Columbus Day federal holiday was that it was being observed in 40 states at the time. 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. European settlers not only introduced new diseases to the Americas that wiped out scores of Indigenous people, but also warfare, colonization, enslavement, and torture. Was Christopher Columbus a Hero or Villain? - Biography Why does learning about what Columbus did to Native Americans still matter today? 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. Columbus and his men raped and mistreated the slaves, especially young girls through ages nine and ten. Why We Should Celebrate Columbus Day? Free Essay Example 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. He was the catalyst that brought more explorers across the Atlantic, who would eventually begin to explore North America, but it is . This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Columbus tried to build and has transformed the America we have today. Alaska was second, in 2017, enacting Indigenous Peoples Day. So, yes, in 1498 and 1502, he did reach the continental Americas. 1. Below are five reasons why Columbus Day celebrants can hold their head high in 2019 rather than kowtow to guilt-based politics. The tradition of observing Columbus Day dates back to the 18th century. Ahh, well, brothers will be brothers. The Columbus Day Problem | Harvard Graduate School of Education Nevertheless, the first official Columbus Day happened in 1892, when President Harrison issued a proclamation for Americans to commemorate the day. Why We Celebrate Columbus Day | National Review While there is plenty to criticize about Columbus, and what followed his arrival, I think this movement is missing the point. Yeah. Why columbus day should not be celebrated. Why Columbus Day Should Not These books have fueled the trends I mentioned around Columbus Day. 5 Reasons to Celebrate Columbus Day as a Symbol of Diversity 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. . Not just Europeans, but everyone. Always trying. 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. We shouldn't be wasting our time on holidays that won't even. Columbus day represents an exploration that lead to many discoveries and examples of leadership and control. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. 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. 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. If the world was round, this was possible, he thought. The truth about Columbus Day, explained | Salon.com What is the origin of the legend of the Christed Son who was born of a virgin on December 25th? Because of his voyages to America, other great explorers ventured across the Atlantic and in under one hundred years, settled the new world. Here Are Some Reasons Why. Today's woke perspective condemns Columbus Day as an unworthy holiday. Some schools, cities, and institutions, such as the. Columbus Day is one of the oldest holidays in the USA Observing Columbus Day started back in the 18th century. Lets look at Columbus himself, to see if he meets the definition. Why NOT to celebrate Columbus Day | Ancient Origins And to see that it is not the essence of Columbus, but rather part of the times. -- Celebrate the spread of Western civilization. April Holloway is a Co-Owner, Editor and Writer of Ancient Origins. A main argument for the idealization of the 15th century explorer is the idea that he was the first European to discover the Americas. Examine Columbuss "discovery" of America. According to a census taken by Columbus' men, in 1496 there were more than 1 million natives on the island of Haiti. (He did follow his big brother to the Caribbean two years later.). And #5 gets worse. Read more TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer by Staff Reports So, there you have it; five reasons not to celebrate Columbus Day this year (or any other year). 1. There are still people who believe Christopher Columbus found America and that what he did was harmless because he was being a man of his time. So, no, Columbus did not discover the New World.. We may not like it, but its our shared heritage. Columbus is also well known as a great explorer, and not the man he truly is, who hurt people in order for things to go his way and for him to get what he wants, which was power., Two Reasons Why Columbus Day Should Not be Celebrated. South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day, in 1990, electing to go with Native Americans' Day. Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States that celebrates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. The war against the Western heritage. Its just that Columbus was the brave one to stake his claim to a land that did not belong to him. 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 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. He thereby claimed the lifetime pension for himself, cheating the rightful claimant out of both glory and a significant amount of money. To realize this dream, they split up. Columbus Day Should Not Be Celebrated - StudyMode 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. After his voyage to America, he became one of the most well known explorers of his time. There are also theories that the Irish arrived far before the Vikings, and that the Chinese and Polynesians may also have also visited the Americas before Columbus. Columbuss men used native girls as young as nine or ten as their sex slaves. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. If you want a unique paper, order it from our professional writers. Why Columbus Does Not Deserve A Holiday - The Odyssey Online If I sailed to Italy and said that I discovered this land in the name of Rowan University it wouldnt fly right? Why We Shouldn't Celebrate Columbus Day - 1191 Words - StudyMode One of the (many) perks of growing up on an island in the Caribbean was that we could actually take a field trip to Columbus Landing a spot fairly close to my school where Columbus and his crew set foot in 1493 among islands he called Las Islas Virgenes, after St. Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins. Why as a nation we should celebrate Columbus Day Ironically, the District of Columbia is named after, you guessed it, Christopher Columbus. CONTACT US: He first went to sea when he was only 14 years old. This was due to the impression that Columbus was attempting to spread Catholic influence. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes him as a "master navigator and admiral." He sailed to numerous places beginning his career as a merchant marine. The evil deeds of Columbus far outweigh the few accomplishments he achieved. How Columbus Sailed Into U.S. History, Thanks To Italians Hoping to bring fresh perspectives to topics like race & politics, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0. Its Cristoforo Colombo. In another case, some people think Columbus was a hero because he represents a leader who went far and beyond to find America. Is Columbus' tomb in the Dominican Republic or Seville? 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Every year, on the second Monday in October, the people in the United States celebrate a national holiday in memory of Christopher Columbus, the one who discovered the new continent. Growing up, I wasnt exposed to this truth. Why Should We Celebrate Columbus Day Essay - 1065 Words | Cram Zachary Mettler works as a staff writer and communications liaison for The Daily Citizen at Focus on the Family. The point is not to excuse the worst that happened, but to understand it. Columbus Day should be celebrated because Columbus had done a lot to get to the point of sailing. Medieval Sea Monster Was Likely a Whale, New Research Reveals, What is Shambhala? As Columbus might have quipped, One good turn deserves another. Okay, he never said that, but his writings prove that he would not have been opposed to it in the least. Adults Especially Gen Z Identifying as LGBT. Columbus Day is a patriotic holiday. Cambridge, MA 02138, Challenges? But as far as I know, no U.S. landfall. Large Increase in U.S. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Be careful, this sample is accessible to everyone. And hes credited for marking the establishment of institutionalized slavery in the West Indies. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. In response to the rebellion, Columbus ordered a brutal crackdown in which many natives were killed, and their dismembered bodies paraded through the streets. Columbus Day, which is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year, has become a controversial subject for many people. His contract with the monarchs, called The Capitulations. And Erickson was certainly as European as Columbus (at least in todays geographical terminology.) But in reality, Christopher Columbus is an American hero, and he should remain as such. These Natives are so nice, wed be crazy not to enslave them is one contentious quote by Christopher Columbus. We asked Eric Shed, a veteran history teacher who now directs the Harvard Teacher Fellows Program, to share perspectives on the changing currents around Columbus Day and the challenges of learning and teaching history, as distinct from celebrating it. Columbus stood to gain significant wealth and power from his voyage, terms he negotiated with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain. A growing number of cities are no longer celebrating Columbus Day, swapping it for "Indigenous Peoples' Day.". Our writers can help you with any type of essay. Spanish conquistadors couldn't believe their eyes while exploring the rugged terrain of the Andes during their invasion of Peru. A Blazing Weapon: Unraveling the Mystery of Greek Fire. He sailed to Iceland and Ireland in 1477, and to Madeira in 1478. 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). 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. Now, I got nothing against thousands of virgins or a good story. Here are five reasons we should still celebrate Columbus Day. Then they would sail away together to claim their riches. Now theres a deed worth celebrating every year! It involves really unpacking the past, looking for complications, and making a deep exploration into the people that made history happen, rather than just looking for a glossy overview. For any subject. When it comes to celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day, I want to make sure we do justice to indigenous folks. Nevertheless, the same could be said of Julius Caesar, but I dont know of many European countries who celebrate Julius Caesar Day. 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.