In 1492, Columbus set out from Spain on his first voyage. His flag ship was the Santa Maria and he was accompanied by two smaller vessels, the Nina and the Pinta. His goal was definitely not to discover America but to find a route to India. He might have got it all wrong, but his discovery nevertheless made Europe aware of an- until then- unknown continent and its population and opened the way to extended sea travel. The misery and exploitation it brought to the Indians (so named because Columbus thought he was in India) is an altogether different matter. There were also undoubted benefits from the new sea route and Columbus did accomplish a remarkable feat, and that’s why Columbus Day is celebrated, not only in the USA, but in many Latin American countries and in Spain too.
Columbus’ First Voyage
Columbus’ first journey which resulted in the discovery of America, was wrought with trouble. Reaching the Canary Islands, after he had left Spain on the 3rd of August 1492, no winds and the necessity of ample repairs to his ship, caused a month long delay. He reached the Bahamas on 12th October and continued on to Cuba. It was at that time, that Captain Pinzon, the master of the Pinta, deserted him and went in search of gold on his own.
Columbus wasn’t happy, but matters got even worse, when on 24th of December, the Santa Maria hit a reef near Hispanola and sank. Columbus had already made landfall and decided to build a fort and a new vessel, because the remaining Nina which had stayed with him, couldn’t take all of the Santa Maria’s crew.
Columbus left on 2nd of January 1493 to return to Spain, convey the news of the discovery of the New World and promised to return later to retrieve the men he left behind.
Near Hispanola, he re-encountered the Pinta which had abandoned him and together they embarked on the return journey, but got separated again in a fierce storm and reached Spain on different dates. Accounts vary, it is said that Columbus arrived first but was unable to make contact with the King and Queen, whereas Pinzon arrived in Bayona and proclaimed that it was him who had discovered the new continent. Anyway, all the glory went to Columbus in the end and that’s why we have a Columbus Day and not a Pinzon Day.
History of Columbus Day Celebrations
Since 1971, Columbus Day has been fixed as a federal bank holiday on the second Monday in October. First recorded celebrations however took place as early as 1791. The Italian community of New York prepared a service in honour of Columbus in 1866 and Italian residents of San Francisoc followed suit in 1869. Colorado established Columbus Day as a state bank holiday in 1905. In 1937, President Franklin Roosevelt declared every 12th of October as Columbus Day and finally, in 1971 the date became an official national bank holiday proclaimed by Congress.
Columbus Day has always been an occasion for several organisations and associations to become involved. Among them the Italian American residents, who celebrate the day as a symbol of their heritage. The Catholic immigrants see Columbus as one of their own who has accomplished a remarkable enterprise.
Not surprisingly, there are wide -spread and decade long protests from the Native American associations against the celebration of Columbus Day.
Inka Piegsa-Quischotte - Since two years I am a full time travel and lifestyle writer and blogger. I published several articles and blogs on ...
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