Thank You Christopher Columbus

If you have today off from work or school...you have Christopher Columbus to thank.

School kids everywhere are doing a

hap, hap, happy dance

for their extra long weekend.

We all remember the story of Christopher Columbus,

the man considered to be the discoverer of America.

Who could forget the rhyme that was drilled into our heads as elementary kids?

“In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue.”

But elementary kids should also understand that when the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria came ashore

to what is now the Bahamas

there were thousands of inhabitants already on the island...

welcoming Columbus,

like a Walmart greeter:


 

“Hi, Welcome to the Bahamas, mon.

How may I help you?”

Let’s also not overlook the fact that the Vikings had explored the North American coast

500 years before Columbus.

(What’s in your wallet?)

Although it is hard to claim discovery of an already inhabited land,

the Columbus expedition did result in the first intertwining of Europe with the Americas.

(Okay, mon?)

Anywhoooooo.....

Here is my version of the Christopher Columbus poem......

In fourteen hundred and ninety-two

Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

It’s said Columbus discovered America, a brand new land

New to him, but not the inhabitants watching from the sand.

A Columbus discovery of America, is soaking wet

A lot like Al Gore, inventing the internet.

Enjoy your day off today

and remember to thank Christopher Columbus.