Christopher Columbus

Today the United States and Spain celebrate the landing of Columbus in the Caribbean and "discovering the New World".
At the time, for the Europeans, it was a true discovery. Being the arrogant individuals they were, they did not question how you discovered something "new" if there already people living there. Since the inhabitants were not European, did not have European culture and religion, they were inferior and whatever accomplishments they may have achieved had no bearing on world affairs.

Now most of us look at things differently.
History shows that several thousand years ago there was a massive migration from Asia, across the Bering Sea, into what would evidently be named the Americas. This migration was in epic proportions when you take into account those who came from Asia eventually settled two continents from their western to eastern boundaries, as well as from their northern to southern boundaries. If you look at the people we of European decent evidently came to call Indians, they evolved with a wide variety of characteristics as they adapted to a wide range of climates and living areas.
These Asians were the true discoverers of the "New World", but because they did not document their discoveries in any written form, they will never receive the credit they deserve.

Others from Europe came before Columbus - Leif Erikson for certain, and their are the legends of the Irish monk Brennan and the Welsh prince Madoc. Although they may have set foot on the American continent, they left no permanent settlement and that is why they do not get credit.

Regardless of how you feel about Columbus, many blame him personally for the diseases that ravaged many of the native American tribes, as well as the destruction and enslavement of many of these same tribes, the truth of the matter was that Columbus was just one, like the thousands who had come before him, seeking riches in new places.

The history of man is the story of migrations, of peoples not be being satisfied and wanting more.
Look at the history of the United States, there was no staying dormant in the original thirteen colonies, explorers and entrepreneurs headed west for new lands and fortune. Today the explorers of the future eye outer space and the depths of the oceans as the next places of that have not been seen or touch.

Columbus had a dream and did what was necessary to attempt to achieve that dream. Unfortunately for him he never did achieve what he had hoped for. The wealth of the Indies was never his. The truth of the matter was that he never became a wealthy man and none of his voyages to the "New World" allowed him to achieve what he considered to be his destiny.

However, his voyages greatly assisted in the empire building of several European nations and his actions caused events that are still felt to this day.

Love him or hate him, I believe that you have to respect a man who set off into the unknown, confident in his beliefs (that the world was round) and trusting that he would succeed.

So, the question is, should we celebrate Columbus Day as a national holiday, or should we reevaluate our history and maybe have a day to celebrate those long ago wanderers from Asia who settled two continents and gave us the basis for the lives we live today?

All parties should get equal credit for their parts in the exploration and advance of our land.

Its Common Sense.