Christopher Radisich
Professor Kuo
History 301 TuTh 9:30-11:00
Columbus Day Nearly every elementary school student is aware of the name Christopher Columbus and probably that he discovered America. Unfortunately for history aficionados and people who research their history will be disappointed to find out that the famous Christopher Columbus explorer of the sea was an avaricious, human trafficking, tight fisted person. With the knowledge of Christopher Columbus terrorizing violence, greedy, and racism one could not help but too question why their is a day to recognize this man for discovering America or anything for that manner. Their must have been a reason why a day was implemented into American society to honor Columbus. On July 21, 1892 President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation establishing the new holiday “Discovery Day” and even praised Columbus as a “pioneer of progress and enlightenment” but this political strategy had little to do with Columbus or discovery america. Although Christopher Columbus had not been a historical figure to reverie or respect, he was utilized as a symbol by Catholic Immigrants to find common ground among the vast majority of the American people and President Harrison saw their growing population as an untapped voting resource in the Midwest and Eastern cities. At the end of the 19th century, a large influx of immigrant, from different cultures came to American soil and were faced with extreme prejudice and discrimination. A large majority of these immigrant were Catholic which is why Thomas Nates anti-catholic political cartoon “The American River Gang” has any relevance to its time period. A large majority of the American people viewed Catholics as more devoted to rome than America due to the religious relevance of the vatican and the pope. The immigrants coming into America needed a way to show their patriotism for