We can celebrate both Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day – By Christopher Tremoglie (Washington Examiner) / Oct 11 2021
The first official Columbus Day celebration occurred in 1792 in New York, to commemorate the tricentennial of the explorer’s landing. A century later, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation “recommending to the people the observance in all their localities of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America…” and describing Columbus as “the pioneer of progress and enlightenment.”
The celebration of this holiday is rooted in our country’s history and should continue. Yet, since the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery, there has been a push to change Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day. Three states voted for the change just this year.
Christopher Columbus contributed much to humanity. Against the superstition of the sailors of his day, he proved that the ancient Greeks had been correct: The world was round. He introduced the concept of reaching the east by going west.
His discovery of the New World put North and South America on the map and paved the way for future explorers and the modern world. His voyages facilitated immeasurable social, economic, and political changes in the world.
