Why the US celebrates Columbus Day

Summary

The video challenges the traditional narrative of Christopher Columbus, highlighting how he never set foot in North America but became an American icon. It explores the glorified myth of Columbus, often taught in schools, which omits his brutal treatment of Indigenous people. The video discusses how Columbus’ image was embraced by Italian immigrants facing discrimination and how Columbus Day became a federal holiday. As more historical facts surface, some cities have shifted to celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day, prompting debates about which historical myths should be kept or discarded in the U.S.

Takeaways

• 🗽 Christopher Columbus is celebrated widely in America, with statues, streets, cities, and even a national holiday named after him.
• 🌍 Despite his fame, Columbus never actually set foot in North America, only reaching the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
• 📚 Columbus is often portrayed to children as the one who 'discovered' America and proved the Earth was round, but people already knew the Earth was round at that time.
• 🚢 Columbus mistakenly believed the world was smaller and thought he could find a shortcut to India; he was wrong.
• ⚔️ Columbus and his men were responsible for the mass deaths of native people, and these violent acts are often excluded from his glorified portrayal.
• 🇺🇸 Columbus became an American symbol during the War of Independence as a non-British icon for the new nation.
• 🇮🇹 Italian immigrants facing discrimination in the late 1800s embraced Columbus as their own symbol of pride and belonging in America.
• 🎉 In 1892, the first 'Columbus Day' was celebrated in schools to associate Columbus with American patriotism.
• 📆 By 1937, Columbus Day became a federal holiday, largely due to the influence of the Knights of Columbus, an Italian Catholic social club.
• ✊ The civil rights movement in the 1960s led to a reexamination of Columbus' legacy, and some cities now celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day, challenging his place in American history.

Q & A

Why is Christopher Columbus celebrated in the United States despite never having set foot in North America?

Columbus became a symbol of the new nation during the War of Independence as a non-British figure. Over time, his story was romanticized, and he was adopted as a heroic figure, especially by Italian immigrants facing discrimination.

What regions did Christopher Columbus actually visit during his voyages?

Columbus's voyages took him to the Caribbean islands, Central America, and South America, but he never set foot in North America.

How was Columbus historically portrayed in educational materials for children?

Columbus was often portrayed as a brave explorer who discovered America and proved the world was round. His voyages were depicted as peaceful, with little mention of the violence and destruction he brought to the native populations.

What are some misconceptions taught about Columbus in early education?

Children were taught that Columbus proved the world was round, even though this was already known. They were also misled into thinking his encounters with native people were peaceful, ignoring the violence and exploitation that occurred.

How did Columbus' image become associated with Italian-American immigrants?

In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants faced harsh discrimination in the U.S. Columbus, an Italian and Catholic figure who was already admired, became an icon for these immigrants, symbolizing their rightful place in America.

Why did Columbus Day become a federal holiday in the U.S.?

The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic social club founded by Italian immigrants, lobbied for Columbus Day to become a federal holiday. They succeeded in 1937 when President Roosevelt proclaimed it a national holiday.

How did the civil rights movement of the 1960s impact the way Columbus was viewed in America?

The civil rights movement led to a reevaluation of Columbus's legacy, especially his brutal treatment of indigenous people. As a result, historians began to correct the myths surrounding Columbus and include the often overlooked historical facts.

What alternative holiday have some cities in the U.S. adopted instead of Columbus Day?

Many cities have chosen to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day instead of Columbus Day, as a way to honor the native populations who suffered from European colonization.

What was one of the main reasons for Columbus' voyages, according to the historical myth?

Columbus is often portrayed as seeking a shortcut to India to bring back wealth. However, this narrative also overlooks his misconceptions about the Earth's size and his misjudgment in landing in the Americas instead.

What is the role of myths like that of Columbus in shaping national identity?

Myths and heroes, like the story of Columbus, are often used to forge a sense of unity and belonging within a nation. Columbus's myth helped establish a symbol for American patriotism and unity, even though historical facts challenge this narrative.