Holiday of Controversy

This Day in History: Columbus Reaches the New World Posthumous portrait of Christopher Columbus Credit: Wikipedia Christopher Columbus is credited as the discoverer of the New World on October 12, 1492, which was 522 years ago. To honor his accomplishments, Columbus Day in the United States is celebrated on the second Monday of October, which falls this year on October 13. Through the centuries controversies have arisen where many researchers and historians have debated the accuracy of such acclamation thus leaving this holiday questionable. Columbus did sail across the Atlantic but was he the first?  More accurately he was the first European to explore the Americas SINCE the Viking explorers from Scandinavia set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland in the 10th century. In addition, the land was already populated by indigenous peoples, who had 'discovered' the Americas thousands of years before.  As a result, not all parts of the United States celebrate Columbus Day. It is not a public holiday in some states such as California, Oregon, Nevada and Hawaii. Moreover, Native Americans’ Day is celebrated in South Dakota, while Indigenous People’s Day is celebrated in Berkeley, California.

The Nina = The Most Historically Accurate Replica

of a Columbus Ship Ever Built

Regardless who was first, the voyage across the Atlantic was not aboard a luxury ocean liner nor speedily like a jet plane.

'Twas not an easy or pleasant voyage across raging perilous seas. Ferocious winds, tormenting waves crushed the hull and tore at the sails. There was no room below decks for the ordinary sailor, so sleeping commenced on the open deck. Seasickness was not uncommon nor succumbing to death under immense pain. Conditions were harsh but willingness prevailed: hope, faith and courage paved the way to the New World for this was only the beginning.

 "We ate only old biscuit reduced to powder, all full of worms and stinking of the urine that the rats made on it. And we drank water that was yellow and stinking." ~Antonio Pigatetta 1500s, a sailor aboard the Magellan.

  

 Echoes of the Sea
 
The sea, which soars, soothes, threatens and shifts

Emanates life as an unanswered question

If it had lips, it would speak effortlessly

And share untold stories from every nation

Oh, sea, mighty warrior of all times

Let loose your triumphant vessels

And relinquish the esteemed memories

Once washed away like the sandcastles

The sea, whose entrails reflect symmetrical images

Imitates the snow-capped peak of Fujiyama

If it were a stage, its ghosts would be the stars

In an infinite unpredictable melodrama

Oh, sea, unforgiving and yet calm

Lay to rest those who died in your wake

Relinquish troubling tales of mystery and woe

That haunt those souls you once did take

The sea, in all its fierceness and serenity

Sustains any argument with the bravest of the brave

Changes its moods with the rolling tide

And whispers of the past echo with each wave

 

©2004 Echoes
Sharla Lee Shults


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Additional Holiday Celebration: Native American Day