Oct 8, 2012
Print This Post
President Obama marked Columbus Day by issuing a proclamation that reflects “on the tragic burdens tribal communities bore” in the years that followed the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus.
FOLLOW TODD ON FACEBOOK FOR CULTURE WAR NEWS. CLICK HERE TO JOIN.
“When the explorers laid anchor in the Bahamas, they met indigenous peoples who had inhabited the Western hemisphere for millennia,” Obama wrote. “As we reflect on the tragic burdens tribal communities bore in the years that followed, let us commemorate the many contributions they have made to the American experience, and let us continue to strengthen the ties that bind us today.”
He called on Americans to “recall” the courage of Columbus, while celebrating “our heritage as a people born of many histories and traditions.
Following is the complete proclamation of what President Obama called “that fateful October day in 1492.”
COLUMBUS DAY, 2012
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
As dawn broke over the Atlantic on October 12, 1492, a perilous 10-week journey across an ocean gave way to encounters and events that would dramatically shape the course of history. Today, we recall the courage and the innovative spirit that carried Christopher Columbus and his crew from a Spanish port to North America, and we celebrate our heritage as a people born of many histories and traditions.
When the explorers laid anchor in the Bahamas, they met indigenous peoples who had inhabited the Western hemisphere for millennia. As we reflect on the tragic burdens tribal communities bore in the years that followed, let us commemorate the many contributions they have made to the American experience, and let us continue to strengthen the ties that bind us today.
In the centuries since that fateful October day in 1492, countless pioneering Americans have summoned the same spirit of discovery that drove Christopher Columbus when he cast off from Palos, Spain, to pursue the unknown. Engineers and entrepreneurs, sailors and scientists, explorers of the physical world and chroniclers of the human spirit — all have worked to broaden our understanding of the time and space we live in and who we are as a people. On this 520th anniversary of Columbus’s expedition to the West, let us press forward with renewed determination toward tomorrow’s new frontiers.
As a native of Genoa, Italy, Christopher Columbus also inspired generations of Italian immigrants to follow in his footsteps. Today, we take time to celebrate the innumerable contributions that generations of Italian Americans have made to our country. Throughout 2013, Italy will also commemorate this rich heritage and the enduring bonds between our countries with the Year of Italian Culture in the United States, which Americans will join in celebrating.
In commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s historic voyage 520 years ago, the Congress, by joint resolution of April 30, 1934, and modified in 1968 (36 U.S.C. 107), as amended, has requested the President proclaim the second Monday of October of each year as “Columbus Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 8, 2012, as Columbus Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also direct that the flag of the United States be displayed on all public buildings on the appointed day in honor of our diverse history and all who have contributed to shaping this Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
BARACK OBAMA
Related posts:
FOX News Talk
All Father hear our cries for a true leader and perhaps we can all be proud again when this wimp leaves in January……..
All Father hear our cries for a true leader and perhaps we can all be proud again when this wimp leaves in January……..
I'm with you Thor…we need someone who's a PROUD AMERICAN…..funny how he can't sign his full name…maybe we'd get wrong impression…Barack HUSEIN Obama…..
Any American who is "proud" of the Native American genocide is more of a "savage" than any "Injun" was ever characterized as by our murderous ancestors!
I'm with you Thor…we need someone who's a PROUD AMERICAN…..funny how he can't sign his full name…maybe we'd get wrong impression…Barack HUSEIN Obama…..
What a beautiful and sensitive, thoughtful sentiment to express on behalf of the Native Americans who were MURDERED in the name of Christianity, after being branded as "savages", and "heathens". America's enduring shame will ALWAYS be the rape of the Native Americans' lands and the genocide of their people and cultures. And yet they endure; proud, unbowed, unbeaten, and refusing to assimilate. A true inspiration for rebellious free-thinkers everywhere!
As a retired Anthropologist I would like to make a comment about your sensitive post.
Romantic HOGWASH devoid of any facts.
Go find a toy tom tom to beat.
G Ken Weaver Yeah, sure, Ken. GO tell that theory to a Native American. Go beat your self-righteous chest on the Wounded Knee massacre site.
Mr. Weaver, Thank you! Most insightful post I've read in a while!
I've read non-marxist books and learned a few interesting things about Brazil's colony era. The natives here used the Portuguese as allies to crush and murder their enemies, who were also natives). The natives weren't "nature hippies" either since they burned forests in order to capture animals hidden. It were the Portuguese who taught them how to properly hunt. Marxist books also say that the natives were scammed by the Portuguese, but, for the natives, they were getting guns and many things they liked from the Portuguse while they were giving the Portuguese things they deemed as "useless" for them. MANY natives also died, not beause of wars, but because of diseases since they had no immunity. Plus priests were against the murder of the natives, it was some of the scum that wanted to murder natives for the sake of murdering them started doing "religous propaganda" to get away with it. It doesn't surprise me. Portugal had to sent their criminals to start the colonization of Brazil since no Portuguese wanted to leave their nation.
You libs really are rabid…and stupid.
You libs really are rabid…and stupid.
note that the SPANISH CONQUISTADORS were the ones who murdered & pillaged,even latinos don't want to be known as hispanics.
Zizzer Zazzer Zuzz as soon the Souix apologize to the Pawnee for taking their land and killing the majority of them. It amazes me how ignorant people such as yourself are not only about the history of the tribes but your paternalistic attitude of natives being ignorant children incapable of any malfeasance speaks loads about yourself.
The warfare was so violent BEFORE the white man came that many whole civilizations had already come and gone, in some cases leaving NO descendents BEFORE the white man came. Our natives here want land settlements for land they conquered just a century before the white man showed up. They WERE conquerors and got conquered.
I have read reports that many native tribes were in terrible shape before the white man. Periodontal disease took many causalities at a young age, according to anthropologists I've read
True, Columbus DID undertake the voyage in the hopes of meeting folk from distant lands with whom to share the gospel. But Columbus was hardly responsible for the Spanish pillage, etc. If the slaughter of the natives in the western hemisphere was the result of Christianity, then the millions slaughtered by Stalin, Mao, etc HAVE to be laid at the feet of atheism.
That is Spanish propaganda that the left picked up. Both Cortes and Pizarro arrived at the right time and built a large coalition of tribes who were sick of their respective rulers and they overthrew their oppressors. The great lie that there were a few conquistadors who conquered the new world needs to be dispelled. People need to understand that just because the Europeans had a technological edge does not mean natives were stupid or unaware of their position. In fact they were notorious for manipulating the situation for thier advantage.
Andrew Drake A weak, non-point, Andrew. Nowhere did I ever infer that there was no tribe-on-tribe violence. But apparently you've never read the historical texts of many of the American antagonists who specifically called for the extermination and relocation of so many tribes and based it upon a self-righteous, religiously-informed opinion about them being "heathens"? Talk about a blind spot. I agree that many tribes fought with, and even massacred others. But it wasn't til the White Man came that they were systematically exterminated, lied to, deceived as a policy, and everything they called theirs either uprooted, outlawed, or destroyed. For you to argue any different–even as you point out other truthful tangents–is both absurd and shameful.
Paul Robinson ". If the slaughter of the natives in the western hemisphere was the result of Christianity, then the millions slaughtered by Stalin, Mao, etc HAVE to be laid at the feet of atheism."—A dumber argument I don't think I've ever heard from you, Paul. And you have had MANY dumb arguments! But this one just takes the cake.
First of all, Hitler slaughtered in the name of Christianity. "Gott Mit Uns" was stamped on the metal belt buckles of every Einsatzgruppen soldier who leveled a carbine at the head of a Jew. Are you REALLY so ignorant of this? lol—Paul, please, spend just an hour researching the truth of this. Hitler also used the endemic anti-Semitism of the Bible to justify his killing of the Jews. Just this one quote alone from "Mein Kampf" states: "Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord." If you want more, I can post them for your education.
Second, Mao and Stalin, Pol Pot, etc…never killed anyone "for Atheism". Atheism is a philosophy, neither a "movement" nor a "policy".
On the other hand, beginning with Columbus, there has always been a thread of "Manifest Destiny" driving American expansion, and the convenient genocide of Native Americans is a historical fact beyond doubt. That the Manifest Destiny doctrine originated with a Biblical worldview is also beyond doubt. Seriously, you need to take off your blinders. At this point in history, it's personally embarrassing and shameful for you or anyone else to try to such plain historical fact. It's akin to denying the Holocaust–or are you going to take issue with that too?
ZZZ, if you think that Mao and Stalin were like "Die in the name of science!" then you are right. They didn't do that. What they did, however, was kill anyone who said to have a religion plus forbid anyone from having a religion.
Eduardo Uchoa Perhaps, Eduardo, but only because as we see in fundamentalist societies, religion has the power to inspire revolution and resistance, as well as empower tyrants who use it for their own ends. Imagine what as beautiful world it would be WITHOUT religious superstition and believing in things that have no proof? We can only dream…
They had a ditactorship opressing (long lines just to buy the bare minimum for your existence, just for example) and killing their own people and then say they did so to prevent tyrants?
They had a ditactorship opressing (long lines just to buy the bare minimum for your existence, just for example) and killing their own people and then say they did so to prevent tyrants?
I love America, and these post prove some reasons why! Only in America can we agree to disagree, or disagree to disagree. But we all have the freedom to say it. And the freedom to nay it. And have some entertainment along the way. While some of this is serious , we are all on news blog commentary forum, so we all know what we are in for. the Good , the bad, the ugly, along with the crazy, humorous,quick witted, dumb witted, 2 busy or lazy 2 spill chack,……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wF_n-gn-Yo seems he does not know HIS OWN Birthday!
Wait a minute. Obama makes Columbus day ,October 8…what happened to October 12? Please dear God, help us
I hope you are just being facetious. But since 1971, the official Columbus Day has always fallen on the 2nd Monday of October.
It's hard to keep track of which holidays were moved to Mondays and which were not. I wish they had just left them all alone.
Here was President Bush's proclamation in 2007: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=75872
Wow what an idiot the Bush was. He didnt even mention the natives in his speech so I guess Obamas speech was a bit better after all. Although the part about tragic burdens doesnt balance out the fact that he still wants the United States to celebrate Columbus. Thanks for the link.
obama must be anointed, he was there in 1492.
Wait wasn't this supposed to be October 12? Oh well not so much of a celebration to begin with. Just more time to. Reflect on the history of America! Yes in several ways we have come along way.
ask any dominian citizen, columbus landed on hispaniola, not the bahamas.
dominican of republica dominicana.
THIS guy is SO anti-white.
The Christian Right in America are Liars, Immoral and uneducated……WE THE JEWISH PEOPLE OF AMERICA SUPPORT ONLY PRESIDENT OBAMA..
“Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain undivided,” Barack Obama’s Public statement to AIPAC as to the Capital of the Jewish State of Israel….
Funding for Israel’s security has gone up every year under President Obama. His latest budget proposes a record-high $3.1 billion in security assistance, helping Israel maintain its qualitative military edge in the region. Rosen of the Jewish Congressional Caucus praised the president’s record.
“America’s never been as supportive to the state of Israel” than since Obama took office, he said……
While past presidents since Harry Truman have rallied to the Israeli cause, none has provided greater material support than President Obama. Within weeks of taking office, Obama ordered the provision to Israel of more than 50 advanced “bunker buster” bombs that would be necessary were military action necessary against Iran’s nuclear program. In providing the bunker busters to Israel, President Obama reversed the decision taken by his predecessor, George W. Bush.
Obama more than doubled American funding for the Israeli Missile defense system known as David’s Sling—in the last year of President Bush’s term, the U.S. committed $52 million to the program; this year, that number rose to $110 million.
And only under this president’s watch has another important air-defense system, called Iron Dome, received funding. President Obama’s $205 million commitment jump-started Iron Dome in 2011, and his Administration has promised that hundreds of millions more U.S. dollars are on their way to assist with this vital defense system. These and other Obama-backed defense measures protect Israeli citizens from the threats they face every day -– threats from Hezbollah and Hamas terrorists, and from the government or Iran itself.
FYI.. Also on Jul 27, 2012 President Obama gave $70 million more in military aid to Israel, just as Republican opponent Mitt Romney prepared to visit the nation.
The money was to help Israel speed up production of a missile-defense system known as Iron Dome.
"We are standing by our friends in Israel when it comes to these kinds of attacks," Obama said in the Oval Office .
The president spoke before signing the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that he said "underscores our unshakable commitment to Israel's security."
Romney has criticized Obama's commitment to Israel….. Really?…. We the Jewish People Know the Truth!
Source: Jewish Times, HaAretz News and Jewish Democratic Council
Sorry You Christians have to come up with a New Lie on President Obama!……. When You are Against the Absolute Jewish Majority you are an Enemy of Jewish People and the Jewish State of Israel…. The CUFI site is a Fraud with Fake Profiles!
I'm shocked that OBummer would proliferate more hate against the white Europeans that came here. Although secular progressives have been revising history for decades, you would think that the complete perspective would eventually show up; not so in our schools or universities today. Did Europeans exploit their advantages? indeed. Were they necessarily treated with loving open arms when they came? perhaps not. Since they were educated and people of law, did they literally claim land as their own? yes. Did they often trade for it? yes. Why is there no mention that most all of the indigenous people here were typically at violent odds with EACH OTHER for land (hunting and burial grounds)? Why is there no mention that many of these tribes were primitive, superstitious, violent if not barbaric? Why do they omit the fact that these natives actually migrated to these areas and "took" the land and its bounty for themselves centuries before? Why do we allow progressives to rewrite history unfettered while heavily infused with the new standard today's insights, morals and mores? This out of context garbage is most certainly NOT history.
What did your President say that was hateful to white Europeans?
The obamination hates this country!!! He is not my president. He is not an American.
Shocked ? It is only what most Americans have come to expect from this "affirmative action" president.
Erik Jensen – Did you not read the line, "As we reflect on the tragic burdens tribal communities bore in the years that followed, let us commemorate the many contributions they have made to the American experience?" The operative derogatory words are "tragic burdens" and seeking to acknowledge, "the many contributions [those tribal communities] made to the American experience." Exactly what 'tragic burdens" are being alluding to? Exactly what contributions did these "tribes" make to our country? Did you not read my post? It is no secret and this thinly veiled garbage does not help, that progressives would have us believe that white Europeans came here to rape and pillage which is pure nonsense. BTW, the major damage to native Americans was inflicted by bigoted and jaded members of the Military and the US Government, not white European explorers. With that single line, POTUS joins those that offer a revised and tainted recollection of history and it must stop. At the risk of redundancy, I acknowledge the realities and offer a fair, reality based perspective in my original post.
Erik Jensen – Did you not read the line, "As we reflect on the tragic burdens tribal communities bore in the years that followed, let us commemorate the many contributions they have made to the American experience?" The operative derogatory words are "tragic burdens" and seeking to acknowledge, "the many contributions [those tribal communities] made to the American experience." Exactly what 'tragic burdens" are being alluding to? Exactly what contributions did these "tribes" make to our country? Did you not read my post? It is no secret and this thinly veiled garbage does not help, that progressives would have us believe that white Europeans came here to rape and pillage which is pure nonsense. BTW, the major damage to native Americans was inflicted by bigoted and jaded members of the Military and the US Government, not white European explorers. With that single line, POTUS joins those that offer a revised and tainted recollection of history and it must stop. At the risk of redundancy, I acknowledge the realities and offer a fair, reality based perspective in my original post.
Gary L Weatherly – You just missed my sarcasm.
Gary L Weatherly – You just missed my sarcasm.
I don't see how you go from "tragic burdens" to Obama hating white Europeans. And the term "tragic" is accurate. Land swindling, forced removal, and outright massacres should certainly be called tragic. Yes, all that stuff was done all over the world at the time, but that doesn't make it right. We should acknowledge our history, both the good and the bad.
Yes, there were contributions from people who already lived here. Have you ever eaten corn or potatoes?
Erik Jensen – What YOU don't "see" is obvious. You continue to cite what Europeans did but epically fail to talk about what the natives did…barbarism, torture, cannibalism, massacres of women and children, etc. these indigenous people were mostly uncivilized savages; it is a myth that they were "peaceful spiritual" people and the only 'law' they had or respected was their own…Tribal and full of superstition, fear and paganism. These same tribes also spent significant amounts of time and resources to killing EACH OTHER for land, hunting grounds, fields, water, women, etc.
Further, I attempted to justify nothing; I simply put what occurred in perspective and we cannot continue to apply today's morals to what happened in the 1400's because it is stupid. I acknowledged real history as opposed to the fiction that is perpetrated upon people and yes, students today. WE are made to feel guilty for sins of the past which is irrelevant today. It is wrong to blame entire races of people for things that they could not have possibly done and consequently, I refuse to be subjected to that misplaced blame because of what the ancients may have done to each other. BTW, there is nothing "tragic" with survival of the fittest. Natural law has ruled since the beginning of time and will continue long after we stop actively killing each other. Your perspective, as with the POTUS, is warped and therefore wrong.
Erik Jensen While I always appreciate A DeR's informative comments a still agree with most ADR states and usually brings in a balance, I did not catch that in his (BO's) tone that was directed to white Europeans. As Barack and all politicians are good at hiding subtle points, I reread and I guess one could imply he meant that "As we reflect on the tragic burdens tribal communities bore in the years that followed" , (preceding Columbus and explorers white Euros). Is this perhaps to make sure its a wink to American Indians .. possibly. I personally will give him a pass on this as being either calculated or perhaps he was confusing Columbus with things Erik Jensen brought up. As a once outsider many years ago ( I am a full fledged American Citizen-love the U.S.and the constitution dearly) it seems everyone is quick to blame all the problems in America were caused by the rich powerful white man, therefor all white men. Which many times I would agree, but solely because those were the ones in charge, times have since changed and we now realize problems can be stemmed from anyone who's rich or in a powerful position whether no matter what sex, nationality or religion or if you are a Kenyon American. As president you will have created some problems no doubt, let us hope it stays long in the past no longer failures that involve oppressing and discriminating any American. Blame the wrong doers only, not the entire race. God Bless America.
My tribal group (Hawaaian/Scotch) met Captain Cook the second time he stopped by the Big Island. We give him the shark tooth club of Aloha and ate him (except the palms and the spinal cord we gave back/ shoot brah no need tank us!) Anyway, considering the human sacrifice, cannabalism and ritualistic torture practised in much of the New World and beyond I think were headed in a bit more positive direction (hopefully).
Whatsamatta, they don't got refrigerators in the Bahamas?
Moron !
You need to address your insults. There is one moron on this site for sure, not sure if that's the one you meant or not. Please – don't waste your insults. There are so many worthy recipients.
Paul Robinson Were you looking in the mirror whilst writing your comment? I'd lay wager…?
Despite the wrong inflicted on my native ancestors, we got to move forward and work on being a united people and not look back and continue the division and dwell on it. Truth be told, that if Columbus never did what he did, there may not have been an America, and McKenyan would have never been president. He either would have been running naked after some prey or picking shamrock and toiling in the fields.
Actually, both his father and grandfather were wealthy citizens of a British country. His father send the father of his bride 15 cows as a dowry, so he wasn't broke. The entire story told by His Royal Highness in his own writings is sheer fiction
My great grandfather would of held out for 20 cows or 15 cows and 10 goats!
Hmmmm. There are amazing similarities between The 2007 speech by Bush and this one. I guess there's only so much you can say about Columbus Day.
I don't think too many here will like this comment but I try to keep light about some things, politicians even state and local must find time being PC to address things like Columbus Day and many other holidays that in some ways get glossed over or taken for granted as so many now things need to be addressed, there is so little time in the day to address everything.
So from that context , I can appreciate your comment.
If you are out of work, or working 2 part-time jobs and can't pay your next meal o rcut your Rx's, if you are a military family with a soldier in harms way, or a student taking 3 mid term exams that day, it's not that you may or may not truly appreciate these holidays just understandable other priorities. So yes, not going to be much overall differences in speech. Sometimes however, its the pauses and tones skillfully placed by politicians that make the subtle differences. I personally think this is much to do about nothing, but if you try to find something you can. Just bigger Obama things to get riled about for me.
From this Italo-American voter to Obama – FUBO!
Thanks Obama for apologizing for Christopher Columbus. He should be apologizing to us.
Maybe you can understand now why I say about obama what the anti-Christ, anti-American democrats said about President George W. Bush : "Not My President".
Yep I remember that phrase and while I get the intended use of the phrase meaning that's not who I picked or always agree with (nice version) and I do not agree with many things with BO and did not personally vote for him, he was still chosen by the people and electorates under the constitution and democratic process, and he or any President like it or not is our President and my President. It's just my personal view for me. And I entrust that the checks and balances will prevail or at least keep things from being one sided. Let's face it we are happy when we get are way but must keep in perspective that perhaps an almost equal side didn't. It just hurts when some issues are more passionately divided. But not too long ago not many countries would allow me and you to have any say. I love America, we are still blessed.
I didn't want him to fail or any of our Presidents or future Presidents to fail. As I said before, if you are President you will no doubt have failures (whether you have full control or not), hopefully few and hope the success outweigh.
I’ll right away snatch your rss feed as I can not find your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me recognize in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.