"In fourteen-hundred-ninety-two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue..." yadda yadda yadda. Today was a federal holiday. Those of us who work for the government and didn't go to work to have the day after Thanksgiving off, well, didn't have to go to work today. No matter that there doesn't seem to be any real point to it. There's nothing to celebrate, like our country's independence, no feasts to be prepared and then shared, no presents to be given... it's just a day off. For some of us. I'll admit, up front, that I love having three-day weekends and I wouldn't want to get rid of Columbus Day, because that would bring the total down to nine. And I want as many holidays as I can get!
However.
Most people know by now that Columbus did not actually discover the North (or even South) American continent, but a tiny island (in comparison) called Hispaniola. Or rather, which he named Hispaniola. Strong work there, Chris. Not only that, but he wasn't even aiming for a new world! Some might say that whether or not he succeeded - in his actual goal or in discovering the New World - he brought awareness of the new world to Europeans. Sure. Obviously they didn't know about it prior to his visits, because he claimed to be the first. And didn't even imagine when he got there that where he was wasn't, in fact, India. Furthermore, other explorers discovered the "new world" centuries before Columbus. Take Lief Eriksson, for example. Lived five centuries before Columbus and established a colony in Canada.
My point is, Columbus is given more credit than he probably deserves. Not that he doesn't deserve any, he just isn't the only important explorer. In light of the above, why not call it "Discovery of America" Day, and teach the elementary students about all the sightings and discoveries of America. These days, being politically correct is so important. The name for this holiday could better describe the important historical event, in my opinion. While we're at it, why don't we celebrate the establishment of all the various colonies? Who's for it, eh?
P.S. The Caps won today, "spanked" (a word I heard from a disappointed Vancouver fan on the Metro ride home) the Canucks with a score of 5-1. Sat four rows from the boards today, where the players seem much, much bigger than they are from the 400 level sections, and where the action is even more exciting. Shiny.
However.
Most people know by now that Columbus did not actually discover the North (or even South) American continent, but a tiny island (in comparison) called Hispaniola. Or rather, which he named Hispaniola. Strong work there, Chris. Not only that, but he wasn't even aiming for a new world! Some might say that whether or not he succeeded - in his actual goal or in discovering the New World - he brought awareness of the new world to Europeans. Sure. Obviously they didn't know about it prior to his visits, because he claimed to be the first. And didn't even imagine when he got there that where he was wasn't, in fact, India. Furthermore, other explorers discovered the "new world" centuries before Columbus. Take Lief Eriksson, for example. Lived five centuries before Columbus and established a colony in Canada.
My point is, Columbus is given more credit than he probably deserves. Not that he doesn't deserve any, he just isn't the only important explorer. In light of the above, why not call it "Discovery of America" Day, and teach the elementary students about all the sightings and discoveries of America. These days, being politically correct is so important. The name for this holiday could better describe the important historical event, in my opinion. While we're at it, why don't we celebrate the establishment of all the various colonies? Who's for it, eh?
P.S. The Caps won today, "spanked" (a word I heard from a disappointed Vancouver fan on the Metro ride home) the Canucks with a score of 5-1. Sat four rows from the boards today, where the players seem much, much bigger than they are from the 400 level sections, and where the action is even more exciting. Shiny.
Shiny indeed. I watched that game, and am ALWAYS delighted to see the canucks look like the assholes that they are.
ReplyDeleteNow if my team would learn how to not lose in the last minute of their games I'd be set!
Red is my favorite color.
ReplyDelete