The second Monday in October has traditionally been recognized as “Columbus Day”.  Since the Legislature passed LB 848 this year, it will subsequently be known as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day”.  While the original bill wanted to completely remove “Columbus Day”, a compromise was reached to include both designations.

In promoting revisionist history, we have recently seen many examples of dismissing or maligning historical figures and founding fathers; and we have seen the toppling or vandalizing statutes such as Christopher Columbus.  While he was not a perfect man, I believe that his legacy has been unfairly attacked.

Living during the “Age of Exploration”, Columbus was arguably the greatest sailor of his day and courageously explored lands previously unknown to western civilization.  He was a devout Catholic who was reportedly a humble man.  He made four voyages to the Americas between 1492 and 1504.

Revisionists are quick to blame Columbus for things he did not do but rather, were done by those who came after him.  Upon landing on San Salvador, he had a favorable impression of the indigenous people and instructed his sailors not to take advantage of them.  He later hung some of his own men who committed crimes against the native people.  He then adopted the son of a Native American leader who had died.  While Columbus may accurately be accused of subsequent mismanagement he has inaccurately been maligned, most recently by those citing the writings of a political rival.

Rather than joining the popular culture that wants to subject Columbus to the trash bin of history and erase his memory, a more thorough and balanced examination of his life is warranted.  Clearly, his legacy and accomplishments deserve to be recognized because it has shaped the world we live in today