The Historical Confusion:
For years, the official name of the October federal (national) holiday was always “Columbus Day” – honouring Christopher Columbus, the Italian navigator/sailor who led the naval expedition to discover a new route to India and the East Indies from Spain. In attempting doing this task, he “discovered” the New World.
The legends surrounding Columbus sailing the Atlantic searching for a more timely/ faster route to the Far East often led people to believe that the new lands were barren and uninhabited – how else could he discover them? Also, as his day was supposedly a “national” holiday in the USA, where in this country did he land? He was an Italian sailing for the King and Queen of Spain. How did he rate a USA holiday?
Even more confusing, why was there no national holiday honouring the peoples who already lived in this newly “discovered” land? In addition, the Norse Vikings had previously established settlements along the coasts of what is now Canada. These settlers predated Columbus by more than a century.
Too much credit was given to Christopher Columbus for tasks not in his original mission. Also, successive Italian immigrants to this New World celebrated Columbus as the “godfather” of the New World. If not for his voyages, there would have been no deluge of immigrants from Europe into these new lands! The entire history of the whole world would be altered.
All the attention and praise on the accomplishments of Columbus and the immigrants who stole the land of all the native peoples residing in this “new world!” No one bothered to offer the disastrous impact of the enormous slave trade or the ravages of imported diseases on the inhabitants of the Caribbean islands and both the northern and southern continents.
Wherever the European immigrants settled, the indigenous populations within that area were subject to the bias of the newcomers and their discrimination against the local natives. After all, they were bringing “civilisation” to this savage land!
Their civilized import prevailed, and this country began to celebrate “Columbus Day” exclusively. It remained that way until the people started to realize that we’re not giving any recognition to the earlier inhabitants here who preserved the lands, the livestock and the environment that thrived until immigration began.
Beginning in the early years of the 21st century, calendars are now listing the traditional “Columbus Day” holiday as “Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day.” Currently, calendars are now printed listing only the Indigenous People’s Day designation. Since Christopher Columbus didn’t actually “discover” a New World, he no longer needs a special honour. As the Italian people didn’t sponsor his voyages to the west, they made no contribution in exploring the new shores.
On this day, it is especially important to remember to honour, salute and pay tribute to the Indigenous Peoples of this site, ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! A very special commendation to all bare practitioners!
Happy Indigenous People’s Day to everyone! We’re all indigenous to some region on this planet!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, October 16, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Spirit Day, 2025!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 
Your post highlighted what I used to teach when we studied the 1400s and 1500s. And you are right, we are all indigenous to someplace on the planet!
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I appreciate your justification of all of us as being indigenous somewhere. There are many who vehemently deny that fact, especially the dumpster residing on Pennsylvania Avenue! Have a good one! 😉 Naked hugs!
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