For some reason, Columbus is remembered as a great explorer and the man who 'discovered' North America. He wasn't. He never even set foot on North America. The Vikings had discovered what is now Newfoundland and Labrador (and set up a settlement on the northern tip of Newfoundland) a thousand years ago. By the time Columbus reached the West Indies, the French and Spanish had been in North America for a century.
Columbus stated out looking for a western trade route to the East Indies. Instead, he 'discovered' a land of riches in both gold and jewels and a rich source of slaves. He abandoned his search for the West Indies and turned his priorities to pillaging as much gold as he could and to overpowering the natives he found there in order to make them slaves. Hundreds of natives were taken back to Europe. Columbus kept a number of them as his own slaves. If they objected, Columbus had their noses and ears cut off as an example to the others who considered objecting. Of course, there is no way to know how many natives he murdered before they relented and allowed themselves to become slaves. On his second voyage, he was armed for war.
Why is this man remembered as a hero, and why does he have his own holiday?