Christopher Columbus’ journey to find a sea route to Asia in 1492 changed the way we see the world. Not realizing that there was an expansive land mass west of Europe, in between Spain and Asia, Columbus landed in the Bahamas only to be greeted by the indigenous Arawak native tribe that had been on the island for decades. Columbus saw this encounter as an opportunity to pay back Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain for his voyage, ships and crew. Columbus then set off, sending thousands of natives out to search for gold; when he discovered that Hispaniola was not plentiful in gold, Columbus took several thousands of natives back to Spain as slaves. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a federal holiday, stating that his voyage was “a prelude to a new
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serve to honor those who have made lasting contributions to the nation. Men such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for the civil rights of the African American people, and George Washington, who led the American troops to freedom against the oppressive British monarchy, are deserving as they have made substantial change that has benefitted our nation. Christopher Columbus should not be honored with a national holiday because, contrary to popular belief, he did not discover North America, he did not formulate that the Earth is round and he did not set the groundwork for American culture. Native tribes had been on the continent for decades, Greek and Egyptians scientists had begun calculated the circumference and diameter of the Earth centuries before Columbus was born, American culture and freedom was put at risk by the British for the next century because of the influence Columbus’ journey had on the European continent. Historians and citizens need to stop exalting Christopher Columbus and realize that he was a greedy, malevolent charlatan who was responsible for the death of millions and who should no longer be honored with a national
serve to honor those who have made lasting contributions to the nation. Men such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for the civil rights of the African American people, and George Washington, who led the American troops to freedom against the oppressive British monarchy, are deserving as they have made substantial change that has benefitted our nation. Christopher Columbus should not be honored with a national holiday because, contrary to popular belief, he did not discover North America, he did not formulate that the Earth is round and he did not set the groundwork for American culture. Native tribes had been on the continent for decades, Greek and Egyptians scientists had begun calculated the circumference and diameter of the Earth centuries before Columbus was born, American culture and freedom was put at risk by the British for the next century because of the influence Columbus’ journey had on the European continent. Historians and citizens need to stop exalting Christopher Columbus and realize that he was a greedy, malevolent charlatan who was responsible for the death of millions and who should no longer be honored with a national