Columbus Day
Columbus Day
If I were to ask you what shape the world is: You would say round, right?
However in the fifteenth century it was common belief that the world was flat. They thought that monsters or a trip off the edge awaited those who dared to sail out of known territory. A few educated persons thought differently. An Italian named Christopher Coloumbus was one of those bold enough to push the strange notion of a round earth.
Columbus asked for money to explore the seas and discover what he thought was the other hemisphere. Italy, Portugal and England all refused to support such an unthinkable venture.
Christpher Columbus convinced Queen Isabella of Spain that it would be easier to sail directly west and find the rich treasure of India and Asia. He promised a new route would be found, and possible new lands for Spain. Columbus first petioned Isabella for help in 1486, but it was years before she agreed to fund him, provided that he conquer some of the islands and a new mainland for Spain.
"You will be called the Admiral of the Sea and receive one-tenth of the wealth that comes from your explorations," Isabella promised.
Finally on August 3rd, 1492, Christopher Columbus and ninety men set sail on the flagship, Santa Maria. Two other ships, the Pinta and Nina came with him.
Two long months passed, the crew became tired, sick and threatened to turn back.Columbus' insuperable spirit encouraged them to go on. On October 11th Columbus saw a light. The Pinta kept sailing and reported that the light was indeed land! The next morning at dawn they came ashore. Christopher Columbus expected to see people Native to India, and be brought to see the great ruler, Khan. Columbus and his men soon spotted some dark skinned natives, and called them Indians. They soon learned from the "Indians" that the island they had landed on was not India, but called Gunahaini. Columbus christened it San Salvador and claimed it for Spain.
Christopher Columbus went on to discover many other lands. He died rich and extolled by many, but never knew that he had discovered lands that few in his time imagined existed.
Americans might not of had Columbus day if he was not born in Italy. Out of pride for their native son, the Italians of New York City organized the first celebration of the discovery of America on October 12th 1866. The next year more Italian organizations held parades, banquets, and dances on the same date. When the Italians of San Fransisco celebrated October 12th they called it Columbus day. In 1905 Colorado became the first state to observe Columbus Day. In the next few years other states followed. In 1937 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proclaimed that every October 12th would be Columbus day!
1992 marked the 500th year of the discovery made by Christopher Columbus, Admiral of the Sea.
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