Ban Columbus Day? Some Say It’s Long Overdue

This year there is no Columbus Day in Seattle, Washington. Instead, residents have voted to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day. For years there has been controversy over the federal holiday. Schools have always taught how Christopher Columbus bravely discovered America, but the story has a more complex and darker side. The true historic account reveals Columbus as a profiteering murderer, slaughtering and enslaving countless Native Americans while stealing land that was rightfully theirs.

Through the Knights of Columbus, Italians petitioned Roosevelt to declare Columbus Day a national holiday in the 1930's. The purpose was to promote a positive Italian role model for children to look up to. According to The Seattle Times, certain members of the Italian community are outraged at the banning of Columbus Day and have vowed to get political revenge.

HBO's Last Week Tonight explained the controversy in an entertaining way last week, and even added their own suggestions for other ways to celebrate Italian pride.

So what do you think? Is it time to get rid of Columbus Day or do you think the tradition should continue?