Ben Kelly, Freshman
Monday, October 12th is Columbus Day: a day when people from various countries around the world, including the United States, celebrate Christopher Columbus' famous voyage and landing in the Americas. Due to controversies and protests, Columbus Day has been changed to Indigenous Peoples' Day in many areas. No matter which one you choose to celebrate, either idea dates back to important and historical people, whether it be the Native Americans or Christopher Columbus.
October 12th, 2020 marks the arrival of the well-known holiday Columbus Day. In 1492, Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas and ever since then the explorer has had his achievements celebrated every year during Columbus Day.
Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who led the four famed voyages from Spain to the Americas from 1492 to 1504. Columbus' voyages were sponsored by King Ferdinand of Spain with the goal of finding a better route to India and mainland China (known as “the Indies” at the time). The islands had great trade in gold and spices. Due to Muslims ruling over trade routes through the Middle East, Western European countries sought a route through the Atlantic Ocean instead. The well-known names Santa Maria, Pinta and Niña were the names of the ships used in the voyages. Those on the ships did not expect or even know of the existence of the Americas.
After over one month of sailing during a particular voyage, Columbus' crew had discovered what they thought was mainland China, which they referred to as the New World. Instead, they had actually visited modern day Cuba, an island in the Bahamas, and Hispaniola, now Haiti and the Domican Republic.
During their explorations, the crew encountered native groups who allowed trade with the men. Glass beads and cotton balls were a high trade item between the groups. Later into the crew's exploration in Hispaniola and the Bahamas, the Santa Maria crashed. With the help of natives, scraps of the ship were re-crafted into a town called Villa de la Navidad. Many crewmates stayed in this town in hopes that they would find more in this new place that they had landed in, but Columbus returned with the rest of the crew on the other ships to Europe.
After these voyages, exploration from Europe to the Americas became increasingly popular and many areas were colonized by European explorers. Columbus had already claimed land for Spain during his explorations, and his achievements led to the creation of Columbus Day, which celebrates the explorer and Italian-American heritage.
The rise of exploration and colonization to the Americas not only harmed but destroyed many Native American populations. Over time this caused controversies. Columbus Day may not be a familiar name to all anymore, as it has been changed to Indigenous Peoples' Day in many places to celebrate Native Americans and remember how many were harmed in the exploration of the Americas. Indigenous Peoples' Day is against framing Columbus as a hero, and raises awareness about the people he in turn destroyed. Many are unsure about which one is to be celebrated and which is not, though either way, important heritage is being celebrated.
Of course, this year includes the setbacks of Covid-19. Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day closes certain places, which all works out this year. Plus, this day is not one celebrated massively like Christmas, so not many crowds or large gatherings should occur, though some events are held. People should stay safe and celebrate the day the best they can regardless.
Works Cited
“Christopher Columbus.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 20 Aug. 2020, www.biography.com/explorer/christopher-columbus#:~:text=Spain in 1492.-,Who Was Christopher Columbus?,a new route to India.
“Columbus Day in the United States.” Timeanddate.com, www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/columbus-day.
Fadel, Leila. “Columbus Day Or Indigenous Peoples' Day?” NPR, NPR, 14 Oct. 2019, www.npr.org/2019/10/14/769083847/columbus-day-or-indigenous-peoples-day.
Flint, Valerie I.J. “Legacy.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 16 May 2020, www.britannica.com/biography/Christopher-Columbus/Legacy.
History.com Editors. “Christopher Columbus.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 9 Nov. 2009, www.history.com/topics/exploration/christopher-columbus.
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