(Theera Disayarat / shutterstock.com)
America celebrates Columbus Day today - commemorating the day Christopher Columbus, a Genoa-born navigator, first set foot on the continent, discovering land which had been unknown to Europeans up until then. October 12, 1492, the day of the momentous discovery, changed the course of history, yet many dispute the celebration’s validity and even more so - its morality; it’s now known that Columbus’ discovery entailed violence and enslavement.
The Americans for Exploration Day Petition responds to the dispute with an intriguing suggestion: calling to re-dedicate Columbus Day as Exploration Day. The petition argues for celebration of the exploratory spirit and America's quest for research and discovery - past and future. Aiming to unify the American people and salute the novelty and ingenuity of exploration, the petition states that "Exploration Day is a day to celebrate where we've been, but more importantly, where we could go if we all put our minds and efforts together for a common goal."
If this idea pulls at your heartstrings, sign the petition to Congress here and the petition to the White House here. [Source: Americans for Exploration Day Petition]
RELATED:
5 Inventive Maps of the USA
10 of Gandhi’s Memorable Quotes
Even Leonardo Da Vinci Worked with a To-Do List
