In an essay format, your posting should directly answer ALL the following questions. Also, your essay should be organized in the same order as the questions.
1. briefly discuss how you understood Columbus and his legacy before taking this class. Do not summarize information from the textbook–but discuss your historical knowledge. Keep in mind that the point here is for you to reflect on what you understood about Columbus as a national icon before taking this class–not for you to summarize general information about Columbus and his voyages.
2. briefly explain what standards or guidelines American politicians should follow to justify a federal holiday. Be sure to explain why.
3. find at least four websites– two that support the continuation of the Columbus Day holiday and two that oppose the continuation of the holiday. Then, provide a summary of each side of the arguments–be sure to cite the websites within the text of your essay (a work-cited list alone is not sufficient).
Your discussion should reflect a full and accurate understanding of the arguments presented in each of your chosen websites. To do this, you need to carefully review each author’s work to offer an accurate summary of the author’s main thesis or central argument regarding Columbus Day and how the author supports that position. Quickly glancing over an article and “cherry-picking” a couple of statements is not acceptable. Also, your summaries must be in your own words; no direct quotations are allowed.
4.take a position on which side you believe offers the most compelling argument on whether or not Columbus Day should remain a national holiday in the United States. Be sure to explain WHY you found the argument on one side more compelling than the other–that is, the strength and weaknesses of both sides of the argument. Be sure to use examples from the websites, and cite your sources. Finally, briefly discuss whether or not your position in this debate met your own standards for a commemorative national holiday.
I SAY COLUMBUS DAY SHOULD NOT REMAIN A HOLIDAY.
5. Finally, in your opinion, what steps might national leaders consider to resolve this ongoing debate amicably? Do not offer suggestions that go beyond the scope of what national leaders can do or how our government works.
