Saturday, October 11, 2008

Columbus Day - Oct. 12th

I often wonder what it might have been like if Columbus didn't leave to come and discover America? Would things have worked out the same as they did if it had not been him who sailed the ocean blue? It's funny the difference in the stories and how they go,....some of them. I'm greatful that it was he who discovered the lands that he did because without him , how long would it have been before America was actually discovered? The year 1492 is so long ago,...like was there really that time in time that we hear so much about today? I wonder. I enjoy that we will be off work this coming Monday. And I enjoy the fact that I may get to see some of my kids because I'm not working. I remember back in 1980 for the Columbus Day holiday, I packed my two little boys up in our Toyota station wagon and headed for Fort Indian Town Gap, PA (from North Carolina) where Dave had been for a while after the new Cuban exodus started on April 23. He originally was in Miami, FL for quite some time until they started disbursing a number of the Cubans around the United States. He ended up in PA which was good because it had been 15 years earlier when his family moved from there to Utah. Even though the reason he was there was not a pleasant one, it was nice that my little guys and I could drive up there and visit Dave and some of the relatives and friends that were still there at the time. (If there are any of you traveling this weekend, we hope that you drive safely and return back home again soon enough to get rested up and ready to start the rest of the week in whatever way you spend your weeks). I know where I'll be after the weekend. Below is the complete 1492 poem. I couldn't remember it all,....never did memorize it I guess. Maybe when you start reading it, it will take you back to that period in time and you can reflect on "Columbus Day" and what it means to you. Enjoy the story (Columbus Day History) from the "Alphabet-Soup" website and the poem I "googled" for. Have a goodnight all! (READ ON)
COLUMBUS DAY HISTORY: Christopher Columbus was a great explorer who lived long, long ago. He traveled across a big ocean with three ships called the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria. The three ships traveled together so that if one had trouble, the others could help. At night Columbus used stars to find his way. In the daytime he used a tool called a compass.Once, after sailing a long time, Columbus and his men thought they had landed in India. Columbus called the people he met there Indians. But he wasn't in India at all. He was in America. The year was 1492 and the date was October 12. He landed on an island now known as San Salvador.In 1934 President Roosevelt proclaimed October 12 as Columbus Day. It is now celebrated throughout the Americas, in Puerto Rico, Central and South America, and Canada. Columbus Day is now observed on the second Monday in October.

IN 1492

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.
He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.
He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.
A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.
Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.
Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.
Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.
October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!
"Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.
But "India" the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.
The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.
Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he'd been told.
He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain. The first American?
No, not quite.But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.

FOR COLUMBUS DAY - Long ago most people thought the world was flat.....we know it's not. Columbus said, "The world is round!" that's how America was found.
The Nina, the Pinta and the Flagship, Santa Maria

2 comments:

  1. Quite the enlightening blog Nettie. Never really gave Columbus too much thought except when we lived in Spain and always had to pass the monuments to him there in Madrid.

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  2. LOVE a good history lesson-and to tell you the truth, yours are alot more interesting than Mr. Passey's were!

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