This article discusses the different myths of Christopher Columbus and their validity. The “traditional Columbus myth – which awards him personal credit for anything good that ever came out of America since 1492 – originated in the War of Independence” when our Founding Fathers were in search of an American hero on which to found the United States. This “spread[s] a lot of nonsense including the everpopular folly that Columbus derided for claiming that the world was round – appealed unashamedly to Americans’ self-image as promoters of civilization.” The article continues to talk about Columbus’ different perceptions and how he led people to believe certain things about him, some of which are still thought today.
Written by: Anna Waterkotte