Pointless Days Off
Has anyone actually reviewed the days students get off from school? There are some pointless “holidays” including my favorite Columbus Day (*note the sarcasm).
This year my children did not get the 2nd Monday in October off, but usually they do. Many of the other districts in the area did take the day off. It got me thinking about why we pick certain days to close federal buildings and schools. And in particular, why this one?
What do you know about Christopher Columbus? Typical answers:
- in 1492 he sailed the ocean blue
- he had three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria
- he discovered America
And that’s about all anyone ever remembers. So why do we celebrate a day for him?
History of the Holiday
The first observance occurred in New York City in 1792. The powerful political machine Tammany Hall observed a day commemorating Columbus’ “Discovery of the New World.” The next major observance came in 1892 when President Benjamin Harrison urged Americans to celebrate the 400th anniversary of discovery. The activities suggested all revolved around teaching patriotism to school children. It became a nationally observed holiday in 1934. And ever since, government offices and school have been closed to do what? Not quite sure what we’re supposed to do in observance of this holiday, but it gets the kids excited to have a day off.
Columbus’ Importance
People extol the great heroics of Columbus who sailed off into the great unknown, not knowing if the world was flat or round. He came upon a land mass, claimed it for Spain. He made three other voyages discovering other lands and claiming all for Europe, paving the way for European colonization.
Problems
I have many problems with observing a day for Columbus. Among the big ones:
- Columbus is not the first person to “discover” what we now know as North and South America. There is hard evidence that the Vikings visited almost 500 years before. There is even some evidence of the Chinese reaching the North American Pacific coast. And all this is even failing to take into account the people that lived here before Europeans arrived. An even bigger question: How can someone “discover” a country where people already live? That’s like me going to Pittsburgh and claiming it as an extension of Indiana just because I have never been there. Just sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? But instead of noting the ridiculousness, we celebrate a holiday.
- As to the claim that Columbus’ voyages opened up the “New World” for Europeans… While that may be true, it’s also a very one sided version of history. What happened to the people and civilizations who lived here? They were outright destroyed, enslaved, or killed by disease. Very few survived the “reign of terror” of European explorers. Instead of recognizing the wrongs done by the Europeans and elitist and racist thinking of the time, we celebrate a holiday for the “leader” of this movement.
- Does anyone actually observe it? And no, getting off school doesn’t count… Does anyone actually talk about Columbus on Columbus Day? Does anyone attend a parade or gathering to discuss the greatness of Columbus? Nope. We go shopping (cause there’s always a good sale for Columbus Day), stay in bed all day, or play video games. People don’t actually observe anything. It’s a waste of a day. Even if schools discuss Columbus, they usually tell the Disneyfied version of history. Something that I as a history teacher take great offense to. We don’t have to tell our Kindergartners the gritty horrors of what happened, but we also do not need to deify Columbus.
Next time the second Monday in October rolls around, think about why we are getting off school or work. Is it worth it? Do you even care about the reason? Is it just about the day off? I hope you at least pause to think about why you are getting the day off. At least then we are on the path to logic. That’s all I ask, really!
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