In April, 1492, Spain received reports that the Portuguese succeeded in reaching the Indian Ocean, therefore Spanish monarchs authorized Christopher Columbus to sail to Asia and establish trade and start to convert natives to Christianity. The reasons that the monarchs let Columbus sail were mainly to search for spices and profits, spread Christianity, and to use some of their new technology like the caravel. In return, Columbus would receive one-tenth of all the profits, and governance of the new lands would be shared by the monarchs and by Columbus. On October 11, 1492, Columbus and his crew arrived at an an island in the Bahamas inhabited by the Arawak Indians. When Columbus and his sailors came ashore, the Arawaks ran to greet them bringing food and gifts (World History Encycophydia, p.
335-338). In another words, there was already people there before Columbus even set foot on America, so he wasn't the first one to find America, and since he wasn't the first one to find America, then there's no such thing as a day called Columbus Discovered America Day.
Christopher Columbus went on the trip mainly for his own good; part of him was for doing it for his country, but most of him was for himself. Although it was said that he was sent to search of trade routes, spices, new technology, and gold, but deep inside, he wanted to gain fame and wealth throughout this experience. Why would I say this? The truth is that I did not; the historians said it.
It was said that Columbus would receive one-tenth of all the profits, and governance of the new lands would be shared by the monarchs and by Columbus. (World History Encycophydia, p334) My guess was that he wasn't really interested in the trip when the monarchs first announced to him. After the rewards they said he'll get, he changed his mind. He took the mission because of the fortune he'll get in return. He was conceited in a way, still, he took the mission.
But Columbus didn't really discovered America.
There were Indians in the Americas before he even arrived. When they arrived, the Indians even greeted them with food and celebrations. How can Columbus discover America that way? He should have known that he wasn't the discoverer of this land with his first sight of the Indians there; the Indians were the ones who discovered America. He did discovered it for the Europeans and his country, but not the world. He didn't found a piece of unknown land that later known to be the Americas, he just claimed he did; one shouldn't take credits that doesn't belongs to them. The Indians there clearly showed that Columbus wasn't the first one to discover America.
And since he didn't discover America, then his day shouldn't be celebrated.
If we're not going to celebrate Columbus' Discovery of Amercia Day, then we should celebrate the Indian's Discovery of Amercia Day. We could have parades like the ones on Thanksgiving. We could have people dress up as Indians and one as Columbus to act out the scene when Columbus discovered America. This could be both educational and fun for the kids. They'll get to learn what Columbus day is really about.
Christopher Columbus was a hero to some people in some way, but sure I'm not one of those people. I have a very different view of him. What was said above was just part of it. It is kind of insulting to Columbus, but those are still my opinions of him. Besides, there's a thing call Freedom of Speech here in America! I have the right to express my opinons and my views.
Bibliography
n/a
