21 - Columbus, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and the Stories We Tell
Description
Was Christopher Columbus really the heroic explorer many Americans grew up hearing about? In this episode, we explore the complex history of Columbus — the world he lived in, his voyages across the Atlantic, and the devastating impact they had on Indigenous peoples of the Americas. We’ll also look at the origins of Columbus Day in the United States, how it became a federal holiday, and why many communities now observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead.
This episode separates myth from history, uncovering how European exploration reshaped the world — and how America continues to wrestle with the legacy of its first celebrated “discoverer.”
Website: https://www.sharing-english.com/podcast
Sources:
- Heather Cox Richardson, Letters from an American, October 12, 2025
- U.S. Library of Congress archives on Columbus’ voyages
- Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
- The National Archives (U.K. and U.S.)
- Pew Research Center, “Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples’ Day?” (2025)
- Encyclopedia Britannica
Music: “Cherish” by Sascha Ende https://ende.app/en/song/498-cherish
License: https://ende.app/en/standard-license
United States
