Why is Columbus Day still a thing?

[ForNoReason]

I think everyone in the U.S.A knows by now how ridiculous it is to have a "holiday" celebrating Columbus and all the things he really didn't do. I understand the confusing need to have an abundance of Federal Holidays, but why not change it to something else? Like Federal Pie Day or something. At least that way we would get pie.

Why do you think there is a Columbus Day?
What holiday would you want to replace it?

[generalwinter]

I think it is a thing because of tradition and such. I would replace it with Federal Scifi Day where Scifi is celebrated in every media form.

[kazumazkan]

Because this is America you damn commie.

[Piggler]

Alternatively, you can celebrate Indigenous People's Day.

It's recognized by wikipedia, so you know it's legit.

[Phobotech]

White People.

[Luette]

Obviously because he's the most american person ever. Let me explain.
Colombus discovers a land devoid of infrastructures yet full of resources. Oh wait there are people and animal living there. Well, who cares? It's ours now.

This is how 'murica operates.
Always did, always will. Freedom!

[SentForMe]

At 10/13/14 01:30 PM, ForNoReason wrote: I think everyone in the U.S.A knows by now how ridiculous it is to have a "holiday" celebrating Columbus and all the things he really didn't do. I understand the confusing need to have an abundance of Federal Holidays, but why not change it to something else? Like Federal Pie Day or something. At least that way we would get pie.

Why do you think there is a Columbus Day?
What holiday would you want to replace it?

I'm guessing you saw this John Oliver video about Columbus day as well?

[fieldertiger]

We have Columbus Day because Christopher Columbus discovered America and since we have a lot of Italians living in this country, we must be proud of having him as one of our historical leaders. Even though I don't really care about Columbus Day that much besides the fact that he discovered America.

[Bled-Red21]

I still have classes today. Fucking pissant holiday...

[ForNoReason]

At 10/13/14 02:12 PM, SentForMe wrote:

At 10/13/14 01:30 PM, ForNoReason wrote:

I'm guessing you saw this John Oliver video about Columbus day as well?

Surprisingly this is just a humorous coincidence. Although I will now have to watch that episode.

[CiviLies]

At 10/13/14 02:12 PM, SentForMe wrote: I'm guessing you saw this John Oliver video about Columbus day as well?

I thought his Pumpkin Spice Latte rant was a little funnier, but that was still a good video. So glad I subbed.

[Nickisabi]

At 10/13/14 01:30 PM, ForNoReason wrote: Why do you think there is a Columbus Day?

I think it gives people a chance to teach kids about Columbus and his discoveries. You know, a chance to teach them the whole "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue" thing and shit. Little do they know what Columbus actually did to the population of the West Indies. You don't hear about that until Middle or High school.

What holiday would you want to replace it?

National fuck you day. Think of the possibilities.

[Natick]

At 10/13/14 02:16 PM, fieldertiger wrote: We have Columbus Day because Christopher Columbus discovered America and since we have a lot of Italians living in this country, we must be proud of having him as one of our historical leaders. Even though I don't really care about Columbus Day that much besides the fact that he discovered America.

wrong

leif erikson sailed to north america 492 years prior to columbus' voyages. columbus just had better luck sailing to the carribean several times and that's just counting the europeans who imperialized this place and stole it from the natives. some historians argue that the chinese admiral zheng he may have discovered north america due to a detailed map found in a bookstore dating back to 1418.

[fieldertiger]

At 10/13/14 02:34 PM, Natick wrote: wrong

leif erikson sailed to north america 492 years prior to columbus' voyages. columbus just had better luck sailing to the carribean several times and that's just counting the europeans who imperialized this place and stole it from the natives. some historians argue that the chinese admiral zheng he may have discovered north america due to a detailed map found in a bookstore dating back to 1418.

Thanks for the history lesson and making me look like one of those people on The Tonight Show.

[DoctorStrongbad]

It should not be a holiday if you still have to attend class and work.

[fieldertiger]

At 10/13/14 02:56 PM, DoctorStrongbad wrote: It should not be a holiday if you still have to attend class and work.

It should be a holiday still to any person who is patriotic about having Columbus as being one of their historical leaders. But just having it celebrated just because its a day off would just make you look like that you dislike work or school.

[Boomstick]

Is this really a federal holiday? He only discovered the Americas, not the United States.

[FinaLee]

At 10/13/14 01:30 PM, ForNoReason wrote: Like Federal Pie Day or something. At least that way we would get pie.

There is a Pi day every year. 2015 will be a great year for Pi day because it will be the only time we can celebrate a 10 digit date and time until the next millenium .

3.141592653

3/14/15 at 9:26:53

[FUNKbrs]

At 10/13/14 03:18 PM, Boomstick wrote: Is this really a federal holiday? He only discovered the Americas, not the United States.

Think again. Amerigo Vespucci discovered the Americas. That's why the continents are called the America's (for Amerigo) and not North and South Columbia. Also, technically Columbus only discovered the Caribbean.

[Grub-Xer0]

Change the name to "National Have the Day off Day"

[MrPercie]

Columbus was a dumbus from Genoa

[Lich]

Columbus Day eh?
Does that mean I can walk into a shop and take whatever I want?

[Greasegoat]

Yeah, I don't fucking know why. It's honestly a horrible holiday to celebrate.

[fieldertiger]

At 10/13/14 04:01 PM, FUNKbrs wrote:

At 10/13/14 03:18 PM, Boomstick wrote: Is this really a federal holiday? He only discovered the Americas, not the United States.

Think again. Amerigo Vespucci discovered the Americas. That's why the continents are called the America's (for Amerigo) and not North and South Columbia. Also, technically Columbus only discovered the Caribbean.

Well, at least the Caribbeans was near the United States. I just can't believe that Italian Americans just took the guy as a hero and then became patriotic about him to this day.

[SNAPCRACKLEANDPOP2]

Does anyone actually do anything to celebrate it besides taking the day off? No? Then bullshit, I say.

Seriously, does anyone even remotely fucking care?

[dekuchu]

The better question is why do I have school today?

[fieldertiger]

At 10/13/14 04:25 PM, SNAPCRACKLEANDPOP2 wrote: Does anyone actually do anything to celebrate it besides taking the day off? No? Then bullshit, I say.

Seriously, does anyone even remotely fucking care?

Since I'm not Italian, I don't do anything on Columbus Day but I'm okay if it's not actually a holiday if people are just going to say crazy shit about Columbus.

[evanarmagast]

At 10/13/14 02:19 PM, CiviLies wrote:

At 10/13/14 02:12 PM, SentForMe wrote: I'm guessing you saw this John Oliver video about Columbus day as well?

I thought his Pumpkin Spice Latte rant was a little funnier, but that was still a good video. So glad I subbed.

oh! pumpkin spice latte day (pumpkin spice lat-day?), that's what today should be.

i don't think anyone actually celebrates Columbus Day, but i am entirely understanding of people who don't think there should be a day to honor him. changing the day to Indigenous Peoples' Day seems like a product of white guilt though. something like, "here, have a holiday. hope this makes up for the genocide!" i feel like the day should just be forgotten, and we should all call it square.

[FurryGod]

The same could be said about every holiday.

[CiviLies]

At 10/13/14 05:09 PM, evanarmagast wrote:

At 10/13/14 02:19 PM, CiviLies wrote:

At 10/13/14 02:12 PM, SentForMe wrote: I'm guessing you saw this John Oliver video about Columbus day as well?

I thought his Pumpkin Spice Latte rant was a little funnier, but that was still a good video. So glad I subbed.

oh! pumpkin spice latte day (pumpkin spice lat-day?), that's what today should be.

This is going to sound dumb as hell because I'm entirely serious, but I think that's a great idea.