Did Columbus 'discover' America?

Byrnzie

Seems like he didn't. So then why is he still celebrated as having done so every year in the U.S on 'Columbus' day?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse_colo ... e_Americas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinland

Also, does anyone know if 'Vinland' was the inspiration for Thomas Pynchon's book 'Vineland'?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vineland

Wilds

Something about "to the victors go the history books." :arrow:

Given To DragonFly

Wow, I had a deep drunken discussion about this exact same question with a friend just last week. He got pretty pissed off about how nonchalant I was regarding the subject, basically because I didn't feel like it drastically affected my everyday life. A couple days later one of my patients died while I was working with him. We successfully resuscitated him, but it was still one of the worst days of my life (and almost the last day of his). And it totally validated my point: Although it's a rightful argument, there are so many more important things that we encounter on a daily basis, and I just can't give myself a headache over something I can't change. What a coincidence that there's a thread about it now!
:? Chino, is that you?

Prince Of Dorkness

Um.. there were already people in America when even the Norse got here.

So technically, the Inuit discovered America.

Smellyman

Jasunmark wrote:

Um.. there were already people in America when even the Norse got here.

So technically, the Inuit discovered America.

Yes, considering there were people here for thousands of years....it kinda makes everything else moot.

musicismylife78

I think its common sense to say he didnt discover America. he was a lousy navigator, and America had native americans living on the land hundreds of years before Columbus ever came to shore.

More to the point he was a genocidal maniac. Its not like he politely came to the shores and said "hey you indians, please leave!".

He and his band of killers engaged in rape, and are responsible for enacting or beginning the genocide of the Native American people.

He would tie native americans up, in groups of 12, in honor of the apostles, and burn them at the stake. He cut them with swords, his diaries make reference to the pleasure he took from seeing blood run, and siccing dogs on the natives

This was a sick man. I find it highly offensive anyone would even defend the guy let alone be in doubt as to if he really discovered america.

He was a genocidal maniac. the fact that some folks are taught that he was a hero, a great sailor, and is deserving of a day named in his honor is beyond me, and just goes to show how completely bankrupt this society is

musicismylife78

Given To DragonFly wrote:

Wow, I had a deep drunken discussion about this exact same question with a friend just last week. He got pretty pissed off about how nonchalant I was regarding the subject, basically because I didn't feel like it drastically affected my everyday life. A couple days later one of my patients died while I was working with him. We successfully resuscitated him, but it was still one of the worst days of my life (and almost the last day of his). And it totally validated my point: Although it's a rightful argument, there are so many more important things that we encounter on a daily basis, and I just can't give myself a headache over something I can't change. What a coincidence that there's a thread about it now!
:? Chino, is that you?

Are you suggesting you dont care columbus is portrayed as a hero, when he is the complete opposite of one?

I dont know your background, but i assume, if you were full on Native American you might feel differently.

Its the same thing with the fighting illini. Alot of people, ie whites, dont seem to understand how deeply offensive the logo and mascot and dance are.

It really is a slap in the face of native americans. They are nearly exterminated, run off THEIR land. And columbus the guy who started all that gets his OWN HOLIDAY. Its beyond ridiculous.

SolarWorld

Columbus raped and pillaged America, and to anyone that offends... Who cares about Columbus?

Byrnzie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse_colo ... e_Americas

Norse colonization of the Americas

'Norse colonization of the Americas began as early as the 10th century, when Norse sailors (often referred to as Vikings) explored and settled areas of the North Atlantic, including the northeastern fringes of North America...'

jlew24asu

no one cares

Byrnzie

jlew24asu wrote:

no one cares

If no one cares then why celebrate 'Columbus day' every year?

South of Seattle

Byrnzie wrote:

jlew24asu wrote:

no one cares

If no one cares then why celebrate 'Columbus day' every year?

No one celebrates except for government employees.

They celebrate the day by sitting at home and watching the Flintstones.

Byrnzie

jlew24asu wrote:

no one cares

So is it not important from a historical interest point of view to know who the first Europeans were who arrived in the Americas?

jlew24asu

Byrnzie wrote:

jlew24asu wrote:

no one cares

So is it not important from a historical interest point of view to know who the first Europeans were who arrived in the Americas?

no

jlew24asu

Byrnzie wrote:

jlew24asu wrote:

no one cares

If no one cares then why celebrate 'Columbus day' every year?

celebrate? LOL. its painfully obvious you arent American. no one celebrates. some government offices are closed that day BFD.

Byrnzie

jlew24asu wrote:

Byrnzie wrote:

jlew24asu wrote:

no one cares

If no one cares then why celebrate 'Columbus day' every year?

celebrate? LOL. its painfully obvious you arent American. no one celebrates. some government offices are closed that day BFD.

I've been in America on Columbus day.

So you wouldn't call the Columbus day parades a celebration?

What do they do then? Just walk along looking miserable and uninterested? Why don't you try being honest for once instead of just being obnoxious?

jlew24asu

Byrnzie wrote:

I've been in America on Columbus day.

So you wouldn't call the Columbus day parades a celebration?

What do they do then? Just walk along looking miserable and uninterested? Why don't you try being honest for once instead of just being obnoxious?

what a joke of a thread. seriously, no one in America gives a flying fuck about Columbus day. its just another day to have a random day off (for some). and besides, its only symbolically "celebrated" not because Columbus discovered America but because Columbus initiated widespread contact between Europeans and indigenous Americans. glad we cleared that up.

Byrnzie

jlew24asu wrote:

Byrnzie wrote:

I've been in America on Columbus day.

So you wouldn't call the Columbus day parades a celebration?

What do they do then? Just walk along looking miserable and uninterested? Why don't you try being honest for once instead of just being obnoxious?

what a joke of a thread. seriously, no one in America gives a flying fuck about Columbus day. its just another day to have a random day off (for some). and besides, its only symbolically "celebrated" not because Columbus discovered America but because Columbus initiated widespread contact between Europeans and indigenous Americans. glad we cleared that up.

And you seriously think that you speak for America and Americans?

polaris_x

jlew24asu wrote:

Byrnzie wrote:

I've been in America on Columbus day.

So you wouldn't call the Columbus day parades a celebration?

What do they do then? Just walk along looking miserable and uninterested? Why don't you try being honest for once instead of just being obnoxious?

what a joke of a thread. seriously, no one in America gives a flying fuck about Columbus day. its just another day to have a random day off (for some). and besides, its only symbolically "celebrated" not because Columbus discovered America but because Columbus initiated widespread contact between Europeans and indigenous Americans. glad we cleared that up.

i would definitely agree with you ... no one cares - similar to how no one cares what the gov't decides to do with the people who enlist in the armed forces or what they do with their tax dollars in overseas occupations ... north americans (put north in there so i don't get the typical defensive posts from americans) are in general pretty apathethic about everything ...

having said that - having columbus day as a holiday speaks volumes as to what americans think about invastions and exploitation - they just dont' know it

jlew24asu

Byrnzie wrote:

And you seriously think that you speak for America and Americans?

huh? what does this have to do with anything? trust me, I know the pulse of America a millions times over then you. you seem to thing Columbus day is some widely celebrated America tradition. its laughable.

Byrnzie

jlew24asu wrote:

what a joke of a thread. seriously, no one in America gives a flying fuck about Columbus day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_Day
'Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492 in the Julian calendar and October 21, 1492 in the modern Gregorian calendar, as an official holiday. The day is celebrated as Columbus Day in the United States, as Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in many countries in Latin America, as Día de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica, as Discovery Day in The Bahamas, as Día de la Hispanidad (Spanish Day) and National Day in Spain, as Día de las Américas (Day of the Americas) since 1915 in Uruguay and as Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) in Venezuela. These holidays have been celebrated unofficially since the late 18th century, and officially in various countries since the early 20th century.