Does Columbus Day Celebrate Tragedy?

"Christopher Columbus" used with permission from Aaron "conspiracyofhappiness" (c) 2010.

October 10^th holds special meaning this year as Americans celebrate the life and maritime discoveries of Christopher Columbus. Or, rather, Columbus Day celebrates Christopher Columbus and his accidental discovery of the “New World” on 12 October of 1492, but Columbus is also remembered for his role in the decline and murder of many native civilizations.

“He initiated an onslaught of Spanish Conquistadors who pillaged and destroyed existing Native American empires in Central and South America. Because of him, Europeans came to a previously untouched set of continents by the Western World and ruined their civilizations,” stated FAHS history teacher Dina Heffner.

 There are people out there who believe strongly that Columbus shouldn’t have his own holiday because of his cruelty towards the natives. Other opinions vary significantly on the reason why he does not deserve a holiday; they range from how inaccurate he was about the circumference of the earth to the manner in which he treated his own crew.

 Another popular opinion is one stated by Fleetwood Area High School Social Studies Teacher Jennifer Goss.

“Columbus served an important historical role in landing in the vicinity of our future country, but many other individuals played a more significant role in actually establishing our country. He should be simply remembered in the history books, not by being recognized with a national holiday,” Goss said.

For these reasons, many in the historical community do not believe Columbus deserves a holiday. Others complain that this holiday is also honored in the school system with a vacation day for students.