Why do we still celebrate Columbus Day?

Question

Him and his peoples were butchers so why was he such a great guy? Because he thought he discovered a land that was actually on the other side of the world and enslaved the Natives once he got to America? Wow, what a guy to be admired! Oh, don't let me get started about "Thanksgiving Day" either. Whew!

Answer 1

For the same reason we'll celebrate 9/11 day in fifty years...so that furniture dealers can have blow-out sales.

Answer 2

I agree with you 100%, but I am grateful for the day off. It has been proven that the Olmeks preceeded Columbus into the new world by about 5,000 years. When Columbus "discovered" the West Indies, the Pope granted all of the new lands to Spain. A good example of why the church should keep its nose out of world affairs. Especially since the Holy Roman Church didn't own the land they were giving away.

Columbus' first letter back to Queen Isabella, announcing his find, told of how docile the natives were; and, how easily they could be converted to slave labor. Thus the stampede for conquest began.
Columbus' name should be erased from the history books and the holiday be immortalized in another way. Perhaps in the name of all the tribes that were decimated by the Spanish conquistadores.

Answer 3

I guess you got up on the wrong side of the bed!

I work on Columbus Day. There is parade in downtown Cleveland, Ohio to honor Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of America. Other than that, it isn't much of a celebration around here.

You have a point about the Conquistadors. Columbus Day would be a good opportunity to discuss the ramifications of the day and the impact on native tribes.

His trip, across the Atlantic, with 3 ships was daring. The fact that he made it back- even with one ship - was an outstanding fete.

The "victors" write the history books. But, having a balanced telling of the tale is also important.

Answer 4

because like it or not his voyage to the new world from the old changed human history probably forever .this wont sound nice but here is a fact if you can not protect whats is yours some one else will take it from you the people who were here first were not playing on the same field ok only the aztecs an inca had any sort of metallurgy the rest were working with stone .this led the people to believe at the time they were just helpin out .best intentions and all so to think of chris colmbus a butcher is harsh when all he did was really just report back what he had found now cortez and pizzarro those guy were butcher but they had their reasons like aztec human sacrifice on the level nobody has had since.this heart rippin out thing cortez saw as an unholy abombination which clashed with christianity.and when he burnt his boats it was him or them and when the spanairds saw their captured comrades killed they knew it was time for no mercey. stories like these as well their own experiances with natves left the Europeans little choice but to kill or be killed and the europeans won because they had the better weapons and the will to use them.

Answer 5

It is unfortunate that we celebrate the annihilation of the Aztecs and other indigenous groups that lived here long before the Europeans came over to pillage the land of resources and subjugate the people they viewed as "savages". Sadly, the reason we celebrate Columbus Day is because history has been written by rich and powerful whites and since they deem Columbus' so-called "discovery" as vital to the growth of Western Civilization they put him on a pedestal.

Answer 6

It is a holdiay, but in most places it is not celebrated, like my school or my mother's job.

In truth, there shouldn't be a Columbus Day, because he discovered the West Indies not America.

The real person who discovered America's name was Amerigo Vespucci, hence the name America. In my opinion, it should be Vespucci Day.

It's only Columbus Day because at that time he was very popular and Vespucci wasn't.

Oh, and I think was Cortez that started enslaving, Mayans and Aztecs when he got there, first.

Answer 7

it would be too hard to just stop. i mean we've been doing it for how long, and to just stop...

but i agree with the person who said we should call it explorer's day, because americo vespuci (sp) really discovered america, not columbus.

and since many of the things we teach about him are untrue anyway, like everyone except him believing the world was flat, and he proved them wrong.

so yeah, we should celebrate a day for all explorers who 'found' this land and for the natives whos lives were ruined in the process

Answer 8

Do you have any actual proof that he and his men did that or are you painting him with a broad brush? Why should people give up their day off, just because you think something. You think the Pilgrims were evil, too? Gee, what holiday would be acceptable to you: Al Gore Day?

Answer 9

I agree with you...Cristabol Colon was a pretty nasty guy (according to his correspondence to the queen and journals). He wanted to find new routes for slave trade, never actually set foot on the big continent, and pretty much lied to his crew. I believe that we should rather celebrate the individuals that actually increased the quality of life and improved standards.

Answer 10

Hahahaha...your not alone girly!! I think the same thing...Honestly I think we celebrate the dumbest holidays here in the U.S....He didnt discover America and the pilgrims scalped the poor Indians!!! Dont get me started on this immigration issue......

Answer 11

Ignorance sure is bliss with you kids....Or are you just uninformed?
We all know what happened to the Native Americans here. Same as they did south of the border. They were killed for land and treasure. The thing is, every nation has been conquered. EVERY ONE. Learn your history, and if you are going to complain about this countries', then complain about every other one as well.