Much has been said about Columbus Day, why it is a holiday and why we should celebrate the accomplishments of Christopher Columbus a man from Italy that convinced the King and Queen of Spain to fund a quest to chart a new western route to Asia. In this edition of the Flag Subscription News we will sharing some interesting facts about this national holiday.
This Columbus Day let us all remember in particular our 1st responders, health care workers, teachers, service workers, truck drivers etc. that place themselves in harm's way.
It is good also to thank our fellow workers, friends and family members that have received their vaccinations and have been diligently wearing face masks protecting each other when required and reminding us of the importance of doing our part.
On Columbus Day this year, are seeing a return to normal. The fall high school, college and pro football seasons have started. The spike in Delta variant Covid 19 cases has subsided and is on the downhill slide. Experts tell us that 52% of the Texas population is fully vaccinated giving folks the confidence they need to attend these events albeit with caution wearing masks where required. Still some in the community continue to celebrate such holidays with our families at home. Regardless how your family chooses to celebrate the Columbus Day, we at Lewisville Morning Rotary wish all our flag subscribers a memorable and safe holiday celebration with the flag proudly displayed in your front yard.
Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that commemorates the landing of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492. Several cities and states as early as the 18th century celebrated Columbus day, but did not become a federal holiday until 1937. For many, the holiday is a way of both honoring Columbus’ achievements and celebrating Italian-American heritage. Of all the national holidays we celebrate, Columbus Day and the person that inspired it has generated a lot of controverery.
Research for this publication has turned up some interesting but little known facts.
It is a pretty well known fact that Columbus was not the 1st to set foot in the Americas. That distinction is generally given to the Norse Viking Leif Eriksson 400 years earlier. Did you know that Oct. 9 is considered the annual celebration of Viking explorer Leif Erikson, the first non-indigenous person to set foot in North America. In 1964, Congress unanimously authorized and requested the president to create the observance through an annual proclamation. The October 9th celebration of Lief Erikksson has received little fan fare.
Columbus was just as controversal in 1491 as he is today. Experts told Columbus his calculations were wrong and that the voyage would take much longer than he projected. Spanish advisors raised similar concerns to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. Turns out the naysayers were right. Columbus dramatically underestimated the earth’s circumference and the size of the oceans. Luckily for him, he ran into the uncharted Americas.
The fleet with ships named Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta had names other than those we know. In those days, European ships were named after saints as was the Santa Maria. Speaking of the Santa Maria (Columbus' flag ship), it was wrecked when it ran onto the coral reefs of near what is now Haiti. The crew spent Christmas Eve in 1492 salvaging cargo off the ship. Columbus returned to Spain aboard the Nina, leaving 40 crewmembers behind to start the first European settlement in the Americas—La Navidad. When Columbus returned to the settlement in the fall of 1493, none of the crew were found alive.
Columbus returned to the Americas three more times in the 10 years. The voyages took him to Caribbean islands, South America and Central America.
In 1500 Columbus was returned to Spain in chains as colonist' complained of brutality and mismanagement by the colonial government Columbus was directing. In Spain he was stripped of his governorship, but King Ferdinand not only granted the explorer his freedom but subsidized a fourth voyage.
In February 1504, a desperate Columbus was stranded in Jamaica, abandoned by half his crew and denied food by the islanders. Knowing from his almanac that a lunar eclipse was coming on February 29, 1504, Columbus warned the islanders that his god was upset with their refusal of food and that the moon would “rise inflamed with wrath” as an expression of divine displeasure. On the appointed night, the eclipse darkened the moon and turned it red, and the terrified islanders offered provisions and beseeched Columbus to ask his god for mercy.
Columbus' heirs waged a lengthy legal battle with the Spanish crown, claiming that the monarchy short-changed them on money and profits due the explorer. While the Columbian lawsuits were settled by 1536, the legal proceedings dragged on until the 300th anniversary of Columbus’ famous voyage.
Contrary to popular 20th century beliefs, most educated Europeans in Columbus' day understood that the world was round not flat.
It wasn’t until his third journey that Columbus finally realized he hadn’t reached Asia but instead had stumbled upon a continent previously unknown to Europeans.
Its a well known fact that the Columbus' crew and the settlers that followed from throughout Europe brought many infectious diseases, including smallpox and influena that caused the deaths of many indigenous peoples. These diseases ran rampart in the new world largely because their populations had not developed the herd immunity that those in the old world had over the centuries.
It was with tongue in cheek that the graphic at the top of this newsletter shows Columbus wearing a facemask. It is doubtful that the explorers if yesteryear would have been aware of the diseases they were bringing to the new world. Comparing the cultures of the 15th century with todays culture might suggest that today's much more compassionate explorers should dress in the same suits as our health care workers to protect themselves and those native to the land they are exploring.
So, if asked or required to wear a mask when boarding a plane or entering a hospital or any other public building, think about how doing so protects others from your disease and vice versa.
If in fact we have not provided a good definative reason for celebrating the life of Christopher Columbus, think about his courage, tenacity and adventurous spirit. A man that can dazzle kings and queens with his vision, a man that was willing to travel where none have been before and a man that can stay focused on an idea in spite of the world around him saying impossible. He represents what our immagrant forebearers where when they left their homes in Europe, Asia and other places in the world to come to America. Some might say Christopher Columbus was the first to be hailed for his American Spirit.
Columbus Day Flag Launch
Subscribers can expect to see their flags installed for Columbus Day on October 9th and 10th. Our scouting partners at BSA Troop 9168 will start removing the flags on or about October 13th and taking them to our storage facility.
If you have questions about our flag program, please click Flag Program information below. You will also see links that our flag chair e-mail on the information page.
A portion of the flags subscription cost is shared with BSA Troop 9168 to defray the cost of scouting events such as scout camp outs and jamborees.
According to Lewisville Rotary Member and Charter Rep. Jeff Lighton, BSA Troop 9168 is an extremely busy troop. Aside from the customary scouting activities, they also perform a number of service projects throughout Lewisville. For example:
Troop is coming along side Veterans Produce at the community garden in Lewisville to help with hydroponic raising of vegetables for the Salvation Army here in town.
Do you know a youngster that might be interested in scouting? Click here to visit their website. Inquiries are always welcome. Click here for contact information.
Special Offer for our current subscribers
Our subscribers are justifiably proud of the flag our team places in their front yard during the patriotic holidays. We are prouder still when we can drive through neighborhoods lined with flags at the curb.
The Lewisville Area Flag program now includes a special offer for all of our existing subscribers. When our subscriber recommends our flag program to a friend or neighbor and that person subscribes, using you as the person that told then about the program we will add one additional flag holiday to your flag subscription year.
Simply ask them to click "current subscriber" in the Contact Information" part of the form. When the Name of Contact form comes up, ask them to insert your name. Simply e-mail your neighbors and friends the subscription link form below.
Join us in one of our Thursday Morning Club Meetings, and find out more about our Rotary club! We meet in-person on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce.
We also meet virtually on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Guests are always welcome at either type of meeting. Contact LMRotaryMembership@gmail.com the login credentials if you wish to sit in on one of our virtual meetings.
Check out our Lewisville Area Flags Facebook page. Please "like" the page and share with your friends and neighbors. Our Facebook page provides periodic updates about our flag subscription program as well as provides a place for our subscribers to share photo's of "Old Glory" flying in your front yard.
