On the second Monday of October, we’re expected to commemorate Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. It’s a federal holiday: if you’re a “non-essential government employee,” you get the day off, and institutions like banks, DMVs, and post offices are closed. Whether that’s a bonus or an inconvenience depends on your banking and mailing needs. For many, Columbus Day is just another random holiday on the calendar: either a cause for celebration or an annoyance (yet another day I can’t cash my check).
Let’s briefly break free from our collective indifference and reflect on what we remember about Columbus. Starting from grade school, we learned that in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. His three ships were called the Niña, Pinta, and the Santa Maria—trivia that feels like it belongs on a third-grade quiz. Fast forward a bit: Columbus, born in Italy, believed the world was round (which was common knowledge by that time). He was not driven by dreams of discovery but rather by the desire for wealth. He thought if he sailed west, he’d reach China and India, with their legendary riches of silk, gold, and spices.
He sought financial backing from various European monarchs. After being rejected by several, he found support from Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain, who provided him with ships and crew (often coerced from the local populace) in exchange for 10% of the profits and a promise to convert the indigenous populations to Catholicism. This, my friends, is what’s known as “colonialism.” Let’s simplify the complex discussions around it: colonialism is bad.
After setting sail, Columbus landed in the Bahamas, where the indigenous people referred to the island as “Guanahani.” Historians now believe he likely landed on San Salvador, but the truth is, he didn’t actually set foot on what we now call America.
However, his arrival heralded disastrous consequences.
The Dark Legacy of Columbus
Let’s dispel the myth of Columbus as a hero who “discovered” new worlds. You can’t discover a place already inhabited by its people. Columbus thought he’d found India, which is why the Bahamas are known as “The West Indies,” and the indigenous peoples often referred to as “American Indians.” Ironically, it’s a name stemming from a colossal error. Some embrace it while others find it offensive; it’s essential to follow the lead of native communities regarding preferred terminology.
In short, Columbus was after gold and spices but found little of either. Instead, he turned to enslaving the local population. On his second voyage, he captured many natives, sending 500 back to Spain (with 200 dying on the journey) and distributing over 600 as slaves. That’s over a thousand individuals he personally condemned to slavery. Remember that the next time you find a government office closed.
With scarce gold, Columbus forced the indigenous people to work in mines and on plantations. If they met production quotas, they received a token to wear around their necks. According to historian Howard Zinn, those found without a token could have their hands severed and bleed to death. The oppressive demands led to the tragic suicide of more than 50,000 native people, who saw no way out of their suffering other than death.
Bartolomé de las Casas, a priest who witnessed Columbus’s actions in Cuba and later became a critic, estimated that over three million people died from warfare, slavery, and harsh conditions from 1494 to 1508.
In essence: Columbus was a villain, and his legacy initiated a long history of genocide against Native Americans, leading to significant cultural erasure.
Misconceptions About Discovery
Recent archaeological findings have dated human footprints in New Mexico’s White Sands Park to 23,000 years ago, proving that people inhabited the Americas long before Columbus. The timeline of their arrival is debated, but they shared the land with massive ground sloths and other prehistoric creatures.
You cannot “discover” people who have lived there for millennia, fighting off ferocious wildlife.
While Columbus is often credited as the first European to reach America, he wasn’t. That title likely belongs to Leif Erikson and his Norse companions, who established a settlement in what is now Canada around 950-1050 AD, complete with evidence of iron smelting and woodworking.
Is the Holiday Justified?
Essentially, Columbus Day originated in 1892, following the lynching of 11 Italians in New Orleans. The Italian community sought to celebrate their heritage and establish a sense of belonging in America. But is this the legacy you want to embrace—one intertwined with genocide?
The uncomfortable truth is that Columbus didn’t discover anything; claiming otherwise is disrespectful. Many communities are now opting to replace Columbus Day with “Native Peoples’ Day” or similar alternatives, which is a step in the right direction.
So, instead of lamenting the closure of your local post office, consider learning about the real history of the land you inhabit.
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Summary
Columbus Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October, commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, but the historical implications of that event are far from celebratory. Columbus’s actions led to the enslavement and suffering of indigenous peoples, initiating a legacy of colonization and genocide. The holiday itself has roots in a desire for Italian-American identity, but many communities are now recognizing the need to replace it with observances that honor Native American histories and cultures. As the conversation evolves, it’s crucial to confront the uncomfortable truths of our past and recognize the land’s original inhabitants.
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