Happy Cristobol Colon Day

Almost none of what we learned about Columbus back when kids in grade school turns out to be true.

Back in the 50's and 60's, they used to teach us that Columbus dispelled the popular notion that the world was flat. Wrong, of course. Since the days of Aristotle nearly all educated people knew the world was basically a sphere.

Then they taught us that Columbus "discovered America". Not true of course, as the millions of people already living here must have somehow "discovered" it many many thousands of years previously. To correct this obvious error, revisionists were quick to point out that the Vikings had discovered American hundreds of years before Columbus, but figured that nothing of any consequnce could ever be developed there and eventually abandoned their colonies.

They taught us that Columbus assumed he had landed in India. Nonsense again. Northern European markets were awash in salted cod from the banks in the western Atlantic long before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Seamen knew what was out there, what direction to sail to get there, and about how far away it was.

One of the great controversies in the time of Columbus was the biblical challenge associated with western hemisphere. The Bible mentioned Africa and Asia, so the Church had no problem acknowledging that those regions existed. Since the Bible did not mention the western continent, the Church feared that a broad awareness of the western lands might undermine the concept of Biblical infallibility (and therefore Church authority). In a time when the Inquisition was burning, crucifying, branding, and banishing "heretics", the Spanish monarchs and Columbus had little choice except to disguise their voyage to the western continent as a passage to "India."

But hats off to Columbus. He made a relatively hazardous voyage, laid the foundation for the vast wealth of the fledgling Spanish Empire, and was one of the better spin meisters of his day. :-)

Oh, and one final thing they got wrong about Columbus. His name. His name wasn't really Christopher Columbus, but rather Cristobal Colon.

Eisboch

WHEN THE HELL IS HENRY HUDSON DAY?!?!?!?!?

Hmmmmm?

Or for that matter, Canada should have a Sir Humphrey Gilbert Day.

Or Jaques Cartier Day.

Man, I'm telling you Chuck, you are on to something here.

(Running and ducking through a chorus of boos and a salvo of half eaten stadium food, the unfortunate comedian made a hasty exit to pursue his day job.....)

Eisboch

Ptolemy was a dumbass. :>)

Columbus thought he succeeded. :-)

When is Amerigo Vespucci day? When his holiday comes around it might be useful to post a few lines about this important historic navigator as well.

Here's a link to a synopsis of well known a tale describing the enslavement of an Englishman by a native chief in British Columbia:

http://www.abcbookworld.com/?state=view_author&author_id=3954

Columbus was one hell of a maritime explorer, was he not? How is a famous mariner off topic for a boating newsgroup?

Now, thanks apparently to the New American Indian Movement, he was a slaver, native abuser and a rapist.

~~ sigh ~~

Among the more profound events that occured during the four voyages of Cristobol Colon to the New World had to be the exchange of microbes. Entire islands were depopulated as the natives fell victim to mumps, measles, and other diseases that often were normally considered survivable in Europe. Not to be outdone, however, the natives sent Columbus' crews home with a bit of a departure present. Syphillis was unkown in Europe until 1493. Apparently the natives had developed an immunity to syphllis, but virtually everybody was a "carrier".

So if the New American Indian Movement wants to be anti-Columbus, the least they can do would be to "clap" politely in his honor. :-)

This is one article I found - I'm still looking for the one with the rapist thing.

http://tinyurl.com/y7ba8r

The rational is truly amazing.

http://tinyurl.com/uwtar

"In 1835 some leaders of the Cherokee tribe signed the Treaty of New Echota. This agreement ceded all rights to their traditional lands to the United States. In return the tribe was granted land in the Indian Territory. Although the majority of the Cherokees opposed this agreement they were forced to make the journey by General Winfield Scott and his soldiers. In October 1838 about 15,000 Cherokees began what was later to be known as the Trail of Tears. Most of the Cherokees travelled the 800 mile journey on foot. As a result of serious mistakes made by the Federal agents who guided them to their new land, they suffered from hunger and the cold weather and an estimated 4,000 people died on the journey"

"Overall it is believed that about 70,000 Native Americans were forced to migrate from Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Tennessee and Florida to Oklahoma. During the journey many died as a result of famine and disease."

Boy, we sure did good by them, huh?

As far as the Nez Perce:

n 1877 General Otis Howard instructed Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe to move from their tribal lands in Oregon. Joseph eventually agreed to leave the Wallowa Valley and along with 350 followers settled in Whitebird Creek in Idaho. Around 190 young men rebelled against this decision and attacked white settlers in what became known as the Nez Perce War. Joseph's brother, Sousouquee, was killed during this fighting. Although he had no experience as a warrior, Joseph took part in the battles at White Bird Canyon (17th June), Clearwater (11th July) and at Bear Paw Mountain (30th September).

"Chief Joseph and his men began a 1,300 mile march to Canada. However, on 5th October, 1877, the Nez Perce were surrounded by troops only 30 miles from the Canadian border. Joseph now agreed to take part in negotiations with General Nelson Miles. During the meeting Joseph was seized and beaten-up. Nez Perce warriors retaliated by capturing Lieutenant Lovell Jerome. A few weeks later Joseph was released in exchange for Lieutenant Jerome.

Chief Joseph continued to negotiate with General Miles. He also visited Washington where he met President William McKinley and President Theodore Roosevelt . Eventually some members of the Nez Perce tribe were allowed to return home but others were forced to live on the Colville Reservation. Joseph remained with them and did what he could to encourage his people to go to school and to discourage gambling and drunkenness."