The return voyage

Three Vocabulary Words:

1. cosmographer- someone who studied the science of maps

2. abate- to become less intense or widespread

3. estuary- where freshwater and saltwater

Summary: After the first fight broke out between the natives and the crew, Columbus decided it was time to return to Spain. This was made possible by the return of the Pinta. Columbus set the appropriate course to avoid the trade winds moving in the opposite direction. On February third Columbus took their Latitude and set their course to go just south of the Azores. on the thirteenth they found themselves in the mist of an unfriendly storm. the Nina and Pinta were separated and they thought they were going to die. In case the ships didn't make it Columbus had the crew toss a cask of their discoveries overboard. They also promised that if they survived they would make a long pilgrimage with a five pound candle. Thought they survived the storm Columbus and his crew were forced to land on the Azores. After drawing lots Columbus was picked to go to the nearest chapel and give thanks for their survival but as admiral he was able to force this job on his crew. The Portuguese were suspicious of the Spanish and arrested some of Columbus' crew. Columbus was able to persuade the relise of his crew but was forced to make his destination Lisbon Portugal.

I think that Columbus day is an important holiday that represents coming out of the dark ages and into the age of discovery. Columbus definitely wasn't a good man but the holiday really isn't all about him. If we were to change it to indigenous peoples day it would no longer be about discovery, but about a type of people. We could definitely use a holiday for the native people but we shouldn't just throw away Columbus day. I think that the argument presented by the Washington post was petty and didn't have many strong points. You can read it for yourself right here http://www.concordmonitor.com/Bill-introduced-to-change-Columbus-Day-to-Indigenous-People-s-Day-in-New-Hampshire-14807515. The side against Columbus day claimed that Columbus was an evil man and not worthy of having his own day. I agree that Columbus certainly wasn't a good man and didn't deserve the fame and fortune that he got, but I think that if it was called Discovery Day or Nina Day it would mean the same thing but nobody would be mad about it. To most adults and children Columbus Day isn't really celebrated or even thought about. To most people it is just a day off. The only people who actually care about Columbus Day are teachers and the people opposing the name change in the article. Teachers use it as a chance to teach about Columbus and the people opposing in the article think it would hurt their Italian heritage. It is fine if they want to remember their Italian heritage on Columbus day but do they really want their heritage to be remembered in the name of such a backwards man? I think that both sides of the argument would be satisfied if we changed the name to Discovery Day or Nina Day (It may have to be Pinta Day because Spanish people may think it meant Girl Day or Saint Mary Day). That way it would still represent the beginning of the age of discovery and Italian heritage without idolizing any undeserving men. We may still be missing an Indigous Peoples Day but someday we should add one of those as well.