I will tell you all about Christopher Columbus's life.
Created by sanimirza123 on Nov 3, 2010
Last updated: 11/23/10 at 06:26 PM
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A U.S. national holiday since 1937, Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World on October 12, 1492. The Italian-born explorer had set sail two months earlier, backed by the Spanish monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He intended to chart a western sea route to China, India and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia; instead, he landed in the Bahamas, becoming the first European to explore the Americas since the Vikings set up colonies in Greenland and Newfoundland during the 10th century. Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba and believed it was mainland China; in December the expedition found Hispaniola, which he though might be Japan. There, he established Spain's first colony in the Americas with 39 of his men. In March 1493, the explorer returned to Spain in triumph, bearing gold, spices and "Indian" captives. He crossed the Atlantic several more times before his death in 1506; by his third journey, he realized that he hadn't reached Asia but instead had stumbled upon a continent previously unknown to Europeans. Columbus Day in the United States The first Columbus Day celebration took place in 1792, when New York's Columbian Order–better known as Tammany Hall–held an event to commemorate the historic landing's 300th anniversary. Taking pride in Columbus' birthplace and faith, Italian and Catholic communities in various parts of the country began organizing annual religious ceremonies and parades in his honor. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation encouraging Americans to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus' voyage with patriotic festivities, writing, "On that day let the people, so far as possible, cease from toil and devote themselves to such exercises as may best express honor to the discoverer and their appreciation of the great achievements of the four completed centuries of American life." In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Columbus Day a national holiday, largely as a result of intense lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, an influential Catholic fraternal benefits organization. Originally observed every October 12, it was fixed to the second Monday in October in 1971. Columbus Day Alternatives Opposition to Columbus Day dates back to the 19th century, when anti-immigrant groups in the United States rejected the holiday because of its association with Catholicism. In recent decades, Native Americans and other groups have protested the celebration of an event that indirectly resulted in the colonization of the Americas and the death of millions: European settlers brought a host of infectious diseases, including smallpox and influenza, that decimated indigenous populations; warfare between Native Americans and the colonists claimed many lives as well. The image of Christopher Columbus as an intrepid hero has also been called into question. Upon arriving in the Bahamas, the explorer and his men forced the native peoples they found there into slavery; later, while serving as the governor of Hispaniola, he allegedly imposed barbaric forms of punishment, including torture. In many Latin American nations, the anniversary of Columbus' landing has traditionally been observed as the Dìa de la Raza ("Day of the Race"), a celebration of Hispanic culture's diverse roots. In 2002, Venezuela renamed the holiday Dìa de la Resistencia Indìgena ("Day of Indigenous Resistance") to recognize native peoples and their experience. Several U.S. cities and states have replaced Columbus Day with alternative days of remembrance; examples include Berkeley's Indigenous Peoples Day, South Dakota's Native American Day and Hawaii's Discoverer's Day, which commemorates the arrival of Polynesian settlers. Columbus Day Traditions In many parts of the United States, Columbus Day has evolved into a celebration of Italian-American heritage. Local groups host parades and street fairs featuring colorful costumes, music and Italian food. In cities and towns that use the day to honor indigenous peoples, activities include pow-wows, traditional dance and lessons about Native American culture. .
One May 20th 1560 Christopher Columbus died. Christopher Columbus died because of Arthritis. Christopher Columbus died in Spain on his bed. Christopher was sick and weak for two days. When Christopher's wife went in the room to give him water but then, she discovered that he had died.
After all the problems appending his second voyage to the Caribbean, It took some time for Columbus to convince Isabella and Ferdinand that he should be sent with another expedition. In 1498, he was given command of six ships which set out again for the new world, which Columbus still believed was in the proximity of China. The expedition sailed at the end of May. Half the expedition broke off and made directly for Hispañola. They brought the colony supplies and reinforcements. Columbus himself took a more southerly course. His ships ran into the "Doldrums" (an area of absolute calm) where the ships simply sat in the water for several days. When a wind came out of the south-east on the 22nd of July the voyagers took advantage of it. Had they followed their original intended course, they would have run into South America much further to the south. As it was they passed by Trinidad, which they named for the three peaks they observed. Because of the long delay in the "Doldrums", the tiny fleet of three ships had been getting low on water. They stopped in Trinidad to renew their supply. South America was sighted. The Orinoco River was also found and was of such size that the Admiral concluded that this river must issue from a great land, possibly a continent. About the 13th of August Columbus decided to head back to Hispañola. Columbus had been very ill and did not feel able to continue. By 19 August 1498 they reached the coast of Hispañola. Christopher Columbus went to Santo Domingo where the colonial settlement had been moved from Isabella. Columbus attempted to resume his governorship, but the people rebelled. Columbus felt compelled to hang several of the leaders of the resistance. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella sent a commissioner to investigate problems in the colony. Francisco de Bobadilla felt Columbus had done a poor job as governor and had him arrested. Columbus as well as his two brothers who had assisted him, were sent back to Spain in chains in October of 1500. On his return to Spain, Columbus and his brothers were thrown into prison. But this did not last long. After about three weeks, Columbus had Convinced the King and Queen that he should be given another chance. He, and his brothers were released. However, some of his powers were stripped from him. He would no longer be Viceroy of the Colony.
The second voyage on Christopher Columbus is all about when Christopher Columbus agrees to make the voyage from the king and queen. He had 88 men and 3 ships. The Nina, The Pinta, and The Santa Maria.
Christopher Columbus departed on his first voyage from the port of Palos, in southern Spain. Columbus called first at the Canary Islands. He was delayed there for 4 weeks.
In 1480 Christopher Columbus married a noblewoman called Felipa Perestrello Moniz..Then she gave birth to two boys named Diego and Fernando. Columbus closest relatives were Giovanni Pellegrino and Bartholomew. Christopher Columbus married a noblewoman called Felipa Perestrello Moniz.
Christopher Columbus was born in Italy. He was born October 31,1451.Christopher Columbus had three younger brothers called Bartolomeo, Giovanni Pellegrino, and Giacomo. He also had a sister called Bianchinetta. In 1470 Christopher Columbus family moved to Savona.
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