Hispanic Heritage Month Final Highlight | Columbus Day

Americans observe Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. President Ronald Reagan expanded it in 1988 to cover a 30 day period. The celebration period was expanded from a week to a month. Not only to show respect for the contributions to the US from Hispanic people, but also to include Columbus Day (also called Dia de la Raza & Indigenous Peoples Day) which is October 12, the date Christopher Columbus first reached “The New World”.

Contributions from the Explorer

The contributions of Christopher Columbus and the entry of Europeans into North and South America had been revered for centuries. As of recent his legacy has been questioned due to the impact of his direct and indirect actions have had on the indigenous peoples. The impact of his 4 voyages to Central and South America from 1492 to 1504 affected everything that came afterward in those regions. The reverence for Christopher Columbus is also measured in the important items name after him. Including the country Colombia, the capital of the United States and the capital of Ohio. His name is in use on the Costa Rica’n currency, and his image has appears on banknotes from at least 9 countries. For example, the US, Bahamas, El Salvador, Coast Rica, Spain, Ecuador, Danish Antilles, Italy, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay.

Columbus Featured on Banknotes

Which is my favorite? The 1917 USD $1 is my personal favorite. While the portrait is of George Washington, there is a vignette of Christopher Columbus landing in the new world. It is a very good concept with the highest security features of the day. If we only include banknotes where his portrait is the core, then my favorite is the 1999 EL Salvador 25 Colones (P155). On the front is a beautiful portrait of Christopher Columbus wearing the appropriate clothing and hat. Three ships are on the front, along with the routes he used during his voyages. On the reverse is a large image of the San Andreas Pyramids. The juxtaposition of the European explorer and a indigenous historic site says clearly that what we are today is a combination of what has come before; good and bad.

We cannot run away from our history. Christopher Columbus was a man of his time who was courageous, adventurous, and imperfect. My thanks to the Hispanic people and to the Italian funded by the Spanish monarchs which led to the growth and prosperity of the western hemisphere.