Sign up for more inspiring photos, stories, and special offers from National Geographic. Later, Italian-Americans began celebrating the explorer as part of their cultural history. Christopher Columbus landed in the wrong place, bringing disease and ushering in slavery… “He was fighting for something different from what March for Our Lives is fighting for, but we try to use his six principles of nonviolence in what we do. Is Columbus Day a federal holiday? The day is also used as an opportunity to talk about what happened after Columbus arrived: the European colonization of the Americas and how it adversely affected the indigenous inhabitants. done to help people who are poor, sick or in need, legacy –n. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Activists immediately latched on to a narrative claiming the officer shot the 16-year-old after she called 911 because of a fight outside of her h Students need to learn more history in school, according to a National Geographic/Morning Consult poll. I'm reminded of the Sopranos episode when the guys get upset when the Columbus Day parade is interrupted by Native American protests. Sign up here. The Catholic charitable group The Knights of Columbus has long defended the legacy of Columbus. The city has begun what the mayor calls “a homicide investigation,” using ground-penetrating radar to search for mass graves, the Washington Post reports. This newsletter has been curated by David Beard. Wisconsin was among the states to declare the second Monday in October Indigenous People’s Day. The Taíno had complex hierarchical religious, political, and social systems. Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. When Columbus Day … They associated them with racial injustice, racism and slavery. A passer-by walks near a damaged Christopher Columbus statue, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in a waterfront park near the city's traditionally Italian North End neighborhood, in Boston. The code has been copied to your clipboard. Columbus Day remains a … Celebration of Christopher Columbus' voyage in the early United States is recorded from as early as 1792. Season 2 premieres tomorrow. Body camera footage released by Columbus police shows the officer approaching an altercation in a driveway. Police were called to a home in Columbus late Tuesday afternoon. With every passing year, fewer states join in the party, though the residents of the 25 or so states that close schools and banks to celebrate Columbus Day assume that they’re taking part in a national holiday. Greyhound connects America. The day typically involves parades, ceremonies, and celebrations for those who observe the occasion. In 2020, many observances of Columbus Day are being cancelled because of restrictions meant to limit the spread of the new coronavirus. How fast can vaccines solve India's COVID-19 crisis? Meet a man who has lived alone on an island for 32 years. The celebration was meant to mark the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival. Or Leif Erikson, who beat Columbus to America by centuries. Some celebrate Italian-American heritage on this day. In Oklahoma, Governor Kevin Stitt signed a law last year meant to satisfy both sides in the historical argument. How did the bluebonnet become a symbol of Texas? Columbus Day remains a holiday for the federal government in all U.S. states and territories. All rights reserved, Read photographer Nichole Sobecki's account on our Instagram page. Nowadays it is generally observed by the U.S. He claimed most of the territory for the kingdom of Spain, which supported his expeditions. They are among roughly 200 such pyramids, many tombs of Nubian kings and queens from as far back as 4,600 years ago. It recognizes Columbus, who brought Europeans to the Americas in the 15th Century. Settling decades of strife: That's a reason given for the Nobel Peace Prize award to Ethiopia's prime minister, Abiy Ahmed. Driving back to Khartoum one evening, I stopped to see the pyramids of Meroe—the lone visitor at a site so striking it took my breath away. Over more than 100 years, statues and memorials to Columbus have been put up in American cities as a popular historical person. The U.S. government established Columbus Day as a national holiday in 1934 to honor the explorer Christopher Columbus. Starting in the late 1800s, a wave of Italian … Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day are celebrated annually on the second Monday in October. (If you don't already subscribe, download it here: applepodcasts.com/overheard), What historical figure do you most admire? (AP Photo/Matt Slocum). Stories are written at … For years, Native American groups have opposed honoring Columbus. Yes, it became a federal holiday in the United States in 1937 due to the decision of Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Just ask Magellan (not only did he NOT sail around the world, that wasn’t his real name). Read photographer Nichole Sobecki's account on our Instagram page. Travelers are crossing borders for vaccines. The District of Columbia declared its October holiday Indigenous People’s Day for the year 2019. But apart from peace with neighboring Eritrea, Abiy has stopped torture in his own country and set the stage for multiparty elections, the Guardian reports. What happens if intercity buses disappear? On Tuesday, a police officer responded to a 911 call about an attempted stabbing in Columbus. This, they say, brought war, disease and death to many native peoples. For years, politicians and activists have fought to replace Columbus Day with the alternative holiday, ending the national tradition of celebrating European explorer Christopher Columbus who came to the Americas in 1492. Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to Granada has denied Ronald Koeman’s side the chance to go top of La Liga in the race for the title. Columbus Day is a federal U.S. holiday that commemorates the voyage and landing of Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in the “New World” on October 12, 1492.. All rights reserved. “The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said Gonzalez in our in our new book, Women: The National Geographic Image Collection. Columbus, Greed, Slavery, And Genocide. The City Council recently voted to get rid of Columbus Day and replace it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, commemorating “indigenous, aboriginal and … But it returns to Columbus Day this year. something that happened in the past or is received from someone in the past. Please be respectful of copyright. Many are tombs of the Nubian kings and queens who once ruled here, and a reminder that from the perspective of history power is always fleeting. What do you think? The city of Columbus, Ohio, also reportedly removed his statue and “placed it in safekeeping.”. When Christopher Columbus arrived on the Bahamian Island of Guanahani (San Salvador) in 1492, he encountered the Taíno people, whom he described in letters as "naked as the day they were born." Advertisement. +, One day last month in the Nat Geo cafeteria, more than a dozen staffers were eating from a loaf of bread that was baked like the staple left in the ovens when Pompeii’s volcano roared and destroyed the place in 79 A.D. Scientists have used new tools to glean surprises from the site where modern excavation got under way 156 years ago. The pyramids of Meroe in modern-day Sudan marked the capital of the Kingdom of Kush. Perhaps the holiday’s lowest moment since 1992 came in 2009, at the height of the recession. When Alexandria Goddard — then a Steubenville-area crime blogger, now a social media legal consultant near Columbus — began digging through students’ social media accounts, she found graphic photographs, videos and degrading tweets about what happened to the girl. Some government offices are closed because Columbus Day is still a federal government holiday. ________________________________________________________________, knock –v. Hai Do was the editor. Have an idea or a link for us? History works and flows all kinds of ways, occasionally discovering a long-neglected area. Columbus' acts of cruelty were so unspeakable and so legendary - even in his own day - that Governor Francisco De Bobadilla arrested Columbus and his two brothers, slapped them into chains, and shipped them off to Spain to answer for their crimes against the Arawaks. But this year, many statues of Columbus have been attacked or are being removed. He was hailed as a discoverer, until protests from Native Americans and others ended that particular celebration in many communities. 240 men started Magellan's voyage around the world. The anniversary of his landing in what would eventually be known the Americas was first formally celebrated 300 years later, in 1792, by the Columbian Order (Society of St. Tammany) in New York City. The URL has been copied to your clipboard, City workers cover the statue of Christopher Columbus at Marconi Plaza, Tuesday, June 16, 2020, in the South Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia. The day recognizes Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in October 1492. In the video, which contains graphic content, Ma’Khia Bryant, 16, appears to lunge at a person who then falls to the ground, The Columbus Dispatch reported. In it's "VOA Monday Morning" broadcast to Africa, the VOA acknowledged that unlike in 1892, in 1992 the celebration of Columbus Day is subject to protest by Native Americans and others, and the VOA went on to report that the Columbus Day parade in Denver, Colorado was called off on account of protest by Native Americans and others. Even the origin of Columbus Day is horribly depressing. What happened to having a day of Italian-American pride? It's complicated. We’d love to hear from you at, New pumpkin toadlet species found—and it secretly glows in the dark, Idaho bill aims to kill up to 90 percent of state’s wolves, Wild horses and donkeys dig wells in the desert, Rent-a-chicken trend spikes during pandemic. Statues of the explorer were taken down in Boston, Chicago and many cities. And some U.S. cities and states have moved away from honoring Columbus and instead observing a day for Native American people. The poll of 2,200 people found 77 percent agreeing that students should be taught more, and 12 percent saying they are taught about the right amount. Columbus day is a public holiday in many parts of the United states, but is not a day off in some states. In May, the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in Minneapolis, Minnesota incited nationwide protests against police use of force and racial injustice. Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October in other states, in honor of the Italian explorer who serendipitously bumped into our continent half a millennium ago. Postal Service, federal agencies, banks, most state government offices, most school districts and many businesses. Alaska was second, in 2017, enacting Columbus Day was first proclaimed a national holiday by President Benjamin Harrison in 1892, 400 years after Columbus’s first voyage. Tomorrow, Travel Executive Editor George Stone describes the contribution of Greta Thunberg to our thinking on Travel—and the results of a new poll. Sudan, you beauty. In that year, the Tammany Society in New York City (for whom it became an annual tradition) and the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston celebrated the 300th anniversary of Columbus' landing in the New World. After 60 years, Bay of Pigs disaster still haunts veterans who fought, WHO approves Moderna’s vaccine for emergency use. Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day are celebrated annually on the second Monday in October. In 2020, many observances of Columbus Day are being cancelled because of restrictions meant to limit the spread of the new coronavirus. Future COVID-19 vaccines might not have to be kept so cold, Newfound black hole may be the closest to Earth, The enduring legacy of Michael Collins, astronaut and chronicler of Apollo 11, This 'double mutant' variant is adding fuel to India's COVID-19 crisis. The explorer, who is believed to have been born in Genoa in modern-day Italy, arrived in the Americas more than 525 years ago. Want this in your inbox? What Really Happened To The American Indians. VOA Learning English presents news, features, audio, video and multimedia about the U.S. and the world in American English. The group was founded by Irish-Catholic immigrants to the U.S. After years of growing support, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a national holiday in 1934. Let us know at justwondering@natgeo.com. In a related question, 88 percent of Americans agreed that understanding history is important for comprehending current events. Is that okay? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. This Monday is Columbus Day in the United States. In more and more places, it’s "Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day!" Christopher Columbus landed in the wrong place, bringing disease and ushering in slavery. We look to him specifically ... because he was so fundamental in the way that he fought non-violently for justice.”. One discovery: the rather dense bread, re-engineered with information from carbonized loaves found on the scene. Barcelona miss chance to go top of La Liga. #sudan #meroe #pyramid #change #nicholesobecki, Highest weather station in the Andes will help scientists search for climate answers, Video Story, How did the bluebonnet become a symbol of Texas?, Video Story, Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. At a time of such halting, fragile change following the April ouster of Omar al-Bashir, one of Africa's longest-ruling leaders, I’ve been thinking about earlier travels to this storied country. Meroe was the capital of the Kingdom of Kush, and the roughly 200 pyramids stretching out across the sands date back as far as 4,600 years ago. We want to hear from you. Postal Service, federal agencies, banks, most state government offices, most school districts and many businesses. (Here’s a little background.). Yes, it became a federal holiday in the United States in 1937 due to the decision of Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Take a look at The New York Times' 1619 Project for a few insights. I know, it used to be called something else. 2 September 2014. I know, it used to be called something else. Since 1971, Columbus Day has been observed on the second Monday of October. By Debra Adams Simmons, HISTORY Executive Editor, In more and more places, it’s "Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day!" Today's holiday dates to 1578 with biscuits, salt beef, and mushy peas—no cranberry sauce. (If not, follow us now.) The state has recognized 11 Indian tribes within its borders. Eight percent didn’t know, and 3 percent said they’re being taught too much (here's the methodology of the poll.) Is Columbus Day a federal holiday? She didn't deserve what happened to her." This is part of our daily newsletter series. Are you one of our 124 million Instagram followers? I'm just curious about peoples' opinions on this. Is Florida losing its fight against invasive species? The celebration of the holiday, observed on the second Monday of October, is now somewhat different from ones in the past. On Thursday, Washington, D.C., voted to temporarily change the name of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. Here's how it began. Columbus Day was created as a federal holiday in 1968 in the same law that specified federal holidays should fall on Mondays. “It’s really best with olive oil or wine,” says Peter Gwin, host of our podcast Overheard. New video from a neighbor's security camera shows the moment a Columbus police officer shot and killed Ma'Khia Bryant in a controversial incident that has heightened racial tension across the nation. The first reported celebrations of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in America took place in the United States in 1792. to hit something in a forceful way, charitable –adj. South Dakota was the first state to rename Columbus Day, in 1990, electing to go with Native Americans’ Day. Bounty, How vaccination became 'hip' in the '50s, thanks to teens, 80 years ago, a player made baseball history … an organ player, that is. Columbus Day used to be celebrated in schools (my post office is closed today BTY). (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews). The anger led to attacks on memorials to Columbus around the country. What Is Columbus Day? First published in. Happy Thanksgiving, Canada! Nowadays it is generally observed by the U.S. His explorations helped open the way for a huge migration of Europeans to what they called The New World. If approved by the mayor, the act would go into effect immediately. Body-camera video shows several people fighting when Officer Nick Reardon arrives. To Emma Gonzalez, the Parkland, Florida, school massacre survivor and advocate for stricter gun laws, the answer is easy. As travel opens up, glamping is helping ‘indoorsy’ families get outside, A vaccine may be your ticket to Europe this summer. The state recognizes both Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day at the same time. But the King and Queen of Spain, their treasury filling up with gold, pardoned Columbus and let him go free. Seven percent disagreed, and 5 percent didn’t know or had no opinion. A Columbus Day parade in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn which took place last year, October 14, 2019, in New York. What happened to Ma’Khia Bryant? § 15-1-101 (2019), but the Governor can substitute the day after Thanksgiving for Columbus Day for the purpose of closing state … Protestors directed their anger at statues and monuments honoring Confederate officials from the American Civil War. In Tennesse, Columbus Day is a legal holiday according to the Tenn. Code Ann. Only 18 finished it. Critics say that Columbus did not “discover” America since native people already lived there. The pioneering science that unlocked the secrets of whale culture, Plastic gets to the oceans through over 1,000 rivers, Why planting wildflowers makes a difference, Highest weather station in the Andes will help scientists search for climate answers, Nature Sounds: José González on how connecting with the natural world has influenced his music, Garlic mustard hurts native plants but its power is waning, 'Forest gardens’ show how Native land stewardship can outdo nature, 'The Death of Napoleon' captures the end of a tumultuous era, The real story behind the infamous mutiny on the H.M.S. 1492. The falling fortunes of Columbus, who died an outcast, proves that history is an evolving thing. Launching an investigation: In 1921, white mobs killed hundreds of black people in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in what was known as the "Black Wall Street" massacre. Mario Ritter Jr. wrote this for VOA Learning English. Columbus Day is a federal holiday that occurs on the second Monday of October. 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