"The American who first discovered Columbus made a bad discovery" (Georg Christoph Lichtenberg)

Today, October 12th, is Columbus Day. In Brazil, not a lot of people know that, because children's day and Brazil Patroness day are celebrated simultaneously.

It's been a very controversial holyday in the USA, because most people that don't look into it carefully think of Columbus as some kind of a historical hero. He even has his own day, so he must be... right?

Well, not so much. This Genoese slave trader might have just been the main reason for the Indian land conquest and Indian genocide, which according to well-known sources claimed a death toll of one hundred million victims. At least this is what he is being remembered by, these days.

Many Italian-Americans think of Columbus Day as a celebration of Italian pride and Christian values, but are they really as keen on Columbus in Italy as they are in the states? And is he really a symbol of Christian values?

The Christian thing, if you consider history... well... there's room for some reflection, But Italy?

Again, not so much... It seems that in Italy, his homeland, he is not as revered as one might expect... For example, in the 500th anniversary of Columbus, his home-town, Genoa, shut down because it didn't want to receive any tourists. They do not regard him as someone to be celebrated...

In many places, this day is now called "Native American Day" or "Indigenous Peoples Day" or yet "Day of Indigenous Resistance".

Why does the American government value such a holyday? Well, let's see... is there anybody else that thinks that the "Indian wars" are not over? And that the USA are still trying to "civilize the world"? no? just me?... oh, well...

Happy Indian day everybody!!!