OAImages Blog

In fourteen hundred and ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue…

When I was growing up we still celebrated Columbus Day on October 12th.  Now it’s not much more than an excuse for the post office to close, sales at the local mall, and some protestors to protest… and it falls on the second Monday of October, regardless of the date.

Yesterday, I heard a clever way for us to pay homage to Columbus and his voyages.

As those who were taught history will remember, Christopher Columbus (using the common anglicization of his name) undertook a voyage funded by Ferdinand and isabella of Spain.  The goal of the voyage was to find an alternate route to eastern Asia and its riches, breaking the stanglehold the Portuguese had on the then current navigational routes.  

Instead he found something that was definitely not Asia.  As a result of his miscalculations he did not immediately recognize what he had discovered. 

So, in the spirit of Christopher Columbus and his voyages, let us all honor the explorer by lifting up and remembering our own miscalculations and mistakes!