15 People Who Deserve A Holiday More Than Christopher Columbus
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

15 People Who Deserve A Holiday More Than Christopher Columbus

We all know there are far less problematic people deserving of holidays out there

13836
15 People Who Deserve A Holiday More Than Christopher Columbus
www.ancient-origins.net

Christopher Columbus is the reason many of us had a welcome break this past week. Or maybe you're in one of those progressive areas that has gotten itself together enough to move the break away from the official Columbus Day holiday. Or at least refer to the day as Indigenous Peoples Day. Because Christopher Columbus was actually really freaking problematic. First off, he didn't actually discover America. Since you know, there were clearly already people here. People that he then allowed to be subjugated and murdered so that he could get credit for discovering their land or something instead of just respecting that somebody already lived there and going home where he belonged.

So basically, I'm uncomfortable that the official holiday in early October still honors this man. Especially when there are so many other Americans worthy of holidays. Here are just a few:

1. Neil Armstrong

If we wanted to stick with an explorer, we could go with Neil Armstrong. He literally landed on the moon. How cool is that? Also he actually was the first to do that...

2. Amelia Earhart


Or, if we wanted to be really revolutionary, we could make a holiday for a woman explorer. Imagine that!

3. The Wright Brothers


Inventors are cool too! We could have a holiday for both Amelia Earhart and the Wright Brothers, who invented her mode of exploration, and then we'd get two days off!

4. Nikola Tesla


Ok, so Tesla wasn't technically American. Of course, neither was Columbus. Also Tesla was so much cooler than his American-born counterpart, Thomas Edison. My man tried to build a machine that would induce earthquakes, and had the whole lightbulb idea first.

5. Shakespeare


Also not technically an American, but we've agreed that's a moot point, right? Plus if we had a Shakespeare holiday that could be an international holiday! We don't honor writers enough, and Shakespeare was one of the most influential. And hey, if we needed to make the holiday for an American writer we could always make it for my man F. Scotty Fitzy.

6. Frederick Douglass


An abolitionist and a feminist. I don't need to justify this one any further.

7. Harriet Tubman


Oh wow, another amazing person who doesn't have a holiday but very clearly should. (Especially since we give holidays out to clowns like Columbus).

8. Susan B. Anthony

Please, America, choose any woman to give Columbus' holiday too. It's 2017 and we don't have any holidays honoring women.

9. Benjamin Franklin

One of our founding fathers and a pretty cool dude in general. Not to mention his slightly judgmental smile graces our hundred dollar bill. He's on money, he should have a holiday.

10. Alexander Hamilton


Because let's face it, no one's ever going to write a hit broadway musical about Christopher Columbus. Now I understand that Alexander Hamilton was problematic in his own ways, but think of it this way: If we had a holiday for him, we could just spend the entire day watching said hit broadway musical, and I can think of far worse ways to spend a day off.

11. Walt Disney


Also a vaguely problematic human and racist. But bear with me because we wouldn't have to have Walt Disney Day, we could just have Disney Day. That's right, a day off of school to watch your favorite childhood classics and otherwise celebrate youth because let's face it: adulting sucks.

12. Rosa Parks


We honor a Civil Rights leader with a day off during the Spring Semester, so we can honor a Civil Rights leader during the Fall Semester too. The Civil Rights movement was one of the most important movements in U.S. history and we still have a long way to go. Let's face it: We're still living in an America that could use an extra reminder that everyone deserves the same rights.

13. Franklin Delano Roosevelt


My man lead our nation through The Great Depression and a World War. He deserves a holiday of his own.

14. Theodore Roosevelt


The other Roosevelt was pretty cool too. He cared about the environment and created our national parks system.

15. Barack Obama


I can't list other presidents who deserve holidays and ignore Obama. I didn't think it would be possible to miss a president as much as I do, but I have missed this man every day since he left office. He was a man of peace and reason who respected all U.S. citizens and the office he held. Unlike Columbus, who was problematic in every way, Obama is not problematic in any way and clearly deserves a holiday.

I can't believe we're still celebrating Columbus when there have been so many amazing people who have come since. It's time to give the fall holiday to someone else, someone who actually deserves it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

113418
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments