About Today: Who is Christopher Columbus?

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Today Five hundred twenty one years ago, Columbus sailed the ocean blue. But while he reached the Caribbean on October 12, the holiday is observed on the second Monday of October in the U.S. The Genoese admiral is often credited with discovering America. But we must keep in mind that America was already discovered thousands of years earlier by rich indigenous cultures. Nevertheless, Columbus has become a symbol of different immigrant communities in the U.S., including Italians, Spanish, Catholics and Jews. Today we will cover what Columbus means by examining his legacy, reconnecting with diverse heritages, uncovering hidden colonial histories, and reconstructing our own immigrant genealogies. Hero or Villain? Millions of people celebrate Columbus Day around the world every year. But the legendary navigator is a controversial figure. For some, he is an intrepid explorer. For others, he is a slave trader who unleashed the horrors of conquest on natives. Read more to decide. Is Columbus a hero or villain? Don't miss these 10 facts about Columbus' voyages. Read the complete biography of the admiral. En español: ¿Por qué se celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana? Search Related Topics:  christopher columbus  explorers  age of discovery Columbus's Legacy Columbus Day was celebrated for the first time in the United States in 1792. Since then, Columbus has become a symbol for Italian-Americans, Catholic immigrants, Hispanic-Americans, and even Jewish-Americans. As a result, both Hispanic-Americans and Italian-Americans celebrate their heritage months in October. Read more about National Italian American Month. This is how Hispanic Heritage Month started. When talking about Columbus, it is also important to recognize the heritage of the original discoverers of the Americas. Read about Native American Heritage Month in November. En español: ¿Celebramos el Día de Colón o el Día de la Raza? Search Related Topics:  columbus day  italian americans  italian american traditions Untold Colonial History When Americans think about early colonial history in the U.S., they remember the English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia and Plymouth, Massachusetts. But here you will learn the history of St. Augustine in Florida, settled by Spaniards 42 years before Jamestown and 55 before Plymouth. Explore the oldest European settlement in the U.S. Travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, another old European settlement in the Americas. Here we uncover the untold history of American Indian slavery, which resulted directly from European colonization. En español: Lee la historia de San Juan, el primer fuerte europeo en Estados Unidos. Search Related Topics:  st. augustine  florida's first ccoast  florida destinations Building an American Myth Cities like New York are praised historically for being a melting pot for diverse cultures and peoples. But what is the real story behind this American myth? Here we offer you 10 essential tips for discovering your immigrant genealogy. You can also use DNA testing to flesh out your diverse family tree. Use this resource guide to push beyond the melting pot story and uncover the complex history of race in America. En español: Documentales en formato digital enfrentan los tabús de raza y etnicidad. Search Related Topics:  ellis island records  search strategies  genealogy search Related Searches Christopher Columbus Italian Genealogy Learning Italian Heritage DNA Test Italian History Featured Articles How Did Colón Become Columbus? Books About Columbus How to Research Native American Roots What should kids be taught about Columbus? Unravel the Mystery of Ancient Civiliaztions in America Discover the Most Puzzling Ancient Artifacts (PHOTOS)   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Today newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com     Follow us on: Advertisement