The Real Columbus Day (October 12, 2007)

Today is the real Columbus Day. The government observed Monday for the federal holiday. But, it was on October 12, 1492, that Christopher Columbus discovered the new world.

There are many who don’t think we should have such a day to honor this man or to celebrate what he did. They see Columbus as a selfish man who sought riches for himself. They blame him for starting the conquest against millions of native Americans.

Consider what Columbus wrote in his personal log. He stated that his purpose in seeking the “undiscovered worlds” was to “bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the heathens.” When he landed on an island, his very first act was to kneel, pray, and give thanks to God.

On this real Columbus Day, let’s remember the real Columbus!

Sources for some content:

William J. Federer, “Christopher Columbus”, America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations (Coppell, Texas: Fame Publishing, 1994), 113, 119.

“Columbus Day 2006: Bashing Chris,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 9 October 2006. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/archive/s_473921.html

Some helpful resources:

http://forerunner.com/forerunner/X0196_Columbus_Christian_C.html

http://www.franciscan-archive.org/columbus/

Here’s a web page from those who think Columbus and the U.S. are evil conquerors:

“Christopher Columbus and the Iraq War”

http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/20_01/comm201.shtml

To learn more about how to put your faith into action, go to www.f2a.org, and tell all your friends! Listen to all of our commentaries at www.f2a.org/commentaries/mp3/