Category Archives: Columbus Day

Christopher who?

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Well today is Columbus Day in America when we celebrate the discover of the New World. But even the creators of Hi and Lois in the comics, Brian and Greg Walker, realize the flaw in this. Yesterday morning’s edition showed their youngest son asking his dad, “How come we don’t get Columbus Day off school anymore?” then later, “Columbus discovered America, right?” to which he replies, “Not exactly. There were the Native Americans living here before he landed. The Vikings were probably the first Europeans to set foot on this shore. Columbus actually thought he was in India.” Then the daughter says, “So why did he get a holiday named after him?” Enter the older son, “He probably had a good PR agent.”

Yep. Sounds right to be. *I have been talking a lot on this blog lately about the new book by Gerald Sinclair and Rondo B B Me of Australia titled ‘The Enigmatic Sinclairs Book One.‘ The great thing about this book is that it deals only in documented fact. There has been a long time belief in the Sinclair/ St. Clair Clan that 100 years before Columbus, but after the Vikings, a Scottish Jarl, who was in the Norwegian nobility, called Prince Henry Sinclair or St. Clair (the original family name), made at least one voyage to North America. Gerry and Rondo’s book mentions this as a distinct possibility but does not call it fact.

Several other books have expounded upon this presumed voyage, and they seem very convincing. There is a children’s book by British author and noted artist, Hazel Brown, published in 2013 by St. Clair Publications, titled ‘Prince Henry St. Clair, Earl of Orkney’. This book is superbly illustrated and in full color, and is distributed by both Ingram Books and Amazon worldwide. It is available from the St. Clair Publications website at http://stclairpublications.com, on all Amazon sites, and may be ordered through any book store. Both books, The Enigmatic Sinclairs and Prince Henry St. Clair, Earl of Orkney would make excellent Christmas gifts. Personally I’m for renaming the holiday Discovery Day.

 

Columbus Day Overrated

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I know I’ve harped on this before and I don’t want to beat a dead horse to death (See Most Comprehensive Origins of Cliches for this one) but even in 1934 folks knew that Columbus didn’t ‘discover America.’ According to Minute Stories of Famous Explorers by Jerome Kates, Grossett and Dunlap, published that year, “Nearly 500 years before the voyage of Columbus the Vikings Discovered America.” This heads the page on Leif Ericsson (977-1010). The Canadian coast then was known as Vinland.

Great overlooked modern author, Gunner Thompson (Viking America and American Discovery) has found startilng evidence of journeys to the new world by Europeans even earlier. So laud ole Chris if you will, but many brave souls would rather print the plain truth. Check it out for yourself. And if you are looking for a good children’s book about early voyages, order a copy of British artist, Hazel Brown’s remarkable full-color story book, Prince Henry St. Clair, Earl of Orkney, available from Amazon, St. Clair Publications, or book stores my order it direct from the world’s largest distributor, Ingram Books, around the world.

Should Columbus Day become Exploration Day?

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I, for one, believe that it should. In August 2008 I was among a group of concerned folk who organized, supported and attended The Atlantic Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia featuring numerous speakers from around the world advocating taking another look at the popular teaching that Columbus discovered America. It is common knowledge that there were several explorers who journied from Europe at least hundreds of years before his 1492 venture with the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. In fact, a new book published by St. Clair Publications primarily aimed at youth which is vividly illustrated in brilliant color unvails the story of one of them, ‘Prince Henry’ St. Clair, Earl of Orkney’ by Hazel Brown, which is available on Amazon in the US, the UK and continental European sites.

There is a growing movement to change Columbus Day to Exploration Day, recognizing all explorers for their remarkable feats. If you agree, you may go to http://explorationdayusa.org/ and sign a petition to do so.

Another wonderful book, one which I can only wish I had published, was authored by my friend, Gunner Thompson. It’s called Viking America and may be purchased in either hardback or paperback at a number os online retailers. It gives detailed research information concerning voyages to the New World as far back as the Roman Empire, and includes a shocking map which he discovered from 1414 showing another contenent on an orb resembling our modern maps, though somewhat distorted due to lack of proper charting. So the next time someone says ‘In 14 hundred and 92 Columbus sailed the ocean blue’ you can say, “Yeah, so what?”