Why Do We Celebrate Columbus Day

Columbus day is a celebration of the discovery of a new world that grew to be the one of the most powerful countries in the world. Columbus never gave up when trying to get funding to sail to across the Atlantic. He traveled back and forth multiple time is his determination to create a wealthy colony. Though, like every person, had a flaw, and that was that he was a man of his time. Yet, he was also one of the most motivated and independent people of his time. Columbus day should be celebrated at Highland Park High School because it is honoring the determination that lead to the discovery of the New World.

Columbus is said to have born in modern day Italy in 1451 to a wool worker. Little is known about his early life, but it is known that he became a seaman at an early age, working in the Portuguese merchant marine. After he survived a shipwreck in

Columbus was not satisfied though. He wanted to sail, so he set off for Ireland and Iceland with the merchant marine in 1477. Columbus continued to sail and trade, traveling down West Africa and learning about Portuguese navigation. In 1484, Columbus asked King John II for aid in crossing the Atlantic, but he was denied. He refused to give up, though. He then ventured to Spain and after two attempts and help from multiple influential people, he was able to obtain the support of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492. There were many factors that went into this decision. Spain felt the need to prove themselves and make themselves a powerful country due to religion. The were Catholic and their opponent was Portugal. Also, Spain wanted to be able to trade with India, but the Islamic powers and Ottoman Empire were blocking off the land route and made it very difficult to sail to India. Columbus used his knowledge to plan his voyage.