Columbus' true face

[airiefairie]

History is written by the winners - this is a well known principle. For example, October 11 was Columbus Day. Ever since the 18th century, Columbus' arrival on American soil in 1492 is being celebrated in the United States, all throughout Central America, the Caribbean, Spain, Argentina, Uruguay etc. But what is actually being celebrated? And if

Comments

[ddstory]

Most of us Nordskis know the story of Leifur anyway, so no sweat.

[peristaltor]

Yeah, poor Leif got his ass handed to him back in Vineland. Good thing Greenland was still warm back then.

[ddstory]

That's not the point. The point is, he was the first European to reach America. And that's well known in Europe today, so I couldn't care less exactly how ignorant about it the American public really is.

[peristaltor]

I know. There's a statue of him here in town overlooking our largest marina. Big Norge community near the water.

I was just funnin' with the fact that he was driven out of Vineland, which leads to the future of the Greenland Norse after the weather turned.

You're right, though. I wonder if we ignorant 'Mericans celebrate CC because he ran the first successful "discovery." It's kind of a "in your FACE, injuns!" attitude.

[anfalicious]

As long as you don't count St. Brendan.

[ddstory]

That's an unproven legend. Like Atlantis. Science doesn't rest upon allegories.

Hell, we could assume the Phoenicians were there first, but technically they weren't Europeans. ;)