Columbus day, the federal holiday in the US. celebrates the accomplishment of Christofer Columbus reaching the New World. Opening a new continent to trade with and rule by the Spanish Government.
This was not necessarily a good thing however. For the native American Indians of the Americas the encroachment of their lands by the arriving foreigners was the first step to being taken over. These native indians were used as slaves, forced to labor for the Spanish. Bringing not only men over from the Old World, the Spanish brought plagues like smallpox and the flu, domesticated animals like the cow, and un-native plants. Back to the Old World they took gold, slaves, and goods.
As plunderers of highly priced merchandise and destroyers of ancient native peoples, the Spanish did many bad deeds after finding the continent. In this way, Columbus' discovery of America is not a joyful historic moment. However, it is still a historic moment marking the day a great leap was made in globalization. I believe that Columbus day should be a historic holiday because it immensely changed world dynamics bringing new trade, wealth, and power.
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