In 1492 Christopher Columbus undertook one of the most daring exploits in human history. He and his crew, in three tiny ships, left Europe and headed west, into the unknown. No charts, no maps, no GPS. Only the primitive navigation instruments of 500 years ago. A voyage of exploration, discovery, and adventure that opened up a whole new world.

In 1892, on the 400th anniversary of the voyage, America held a World's Fair dedicated to Columbus. It was called the Columbian Exposition. They issued a special Columbian half dollar coin. I have several.

In 1992, the 500th anniversary, there were more celebrations and they issued commemorative stamps celebrating Columbus's accomplishments. I have these, as well as a 500th anniversary edition of a Columbian half dollar.

Over the years, lots of things have been named after Columbus. There are statues in many locations, you have Columbus, Ohio, Columbus Avenue, Columbus Circle, and Washington, District of Columbia, just to name a few. Even a holiday named for Columbus. All of them dedicated to the spirit of exploration and discovery.

America really liked Columbus.

I first learned about Columbus in school, around 1949. To a kid in postwar America, it sounded like Star Trek. To boldly go where no man has gone before. For me, Columbus was a hero and an inspiration. He still is.

But now, in the summer of 2020, America is having its own Cultural Revolution, destroying the legacy of the past in a search for an unattainable cultural purity.

Statues of Columbus are being torn down and defaced. Revisionist history now portrays Columbus as responsible for every bad thing that has happened since 1492.

I wonder what sudden, new knowledge we have acquired, knowledge that has eluded centuries of historians who have studied the voyages of Columbus. Perhaps, instead, it is a loss of knowledge and understanding. Perhaps it's just good old ignorance, mixed with a little self-righteousness and maybe, just a touch of hate.

Columbus lived 500 years ago, not today. He was a man of his times and he did what people did in those times. If he lived today, you could judge him by today's standards. But he's dead, for more than 500 years. He cannot be here to defend himself. You cannot punish him. You cannot change the past.

If you take away Columbus, you're going to have a hard time replacing him as a hero and as an inspiration for future generations.

For kids like me.

Happy Columbus Day!