ॐ

Christopher Columbus introduced two phenomena that revolutionized race relations and transformed the modern world: the taking of land, wealth, and labor from indigenous peoples, leading to their extermination, and the transatlantic slave trade, which created a racial underclass.

“

—

James W. Loewen in Lies My Teacher Told Me

In short, Christopher Columbus was one of the fathers of colonialism, slavery and racism*. Good job. Why do we celebrate him again?

* Yes, there are scholars that see racism (as opposed to general xenophobia) as a relatively new phenomena that arose as a defense of the enslavement of non-white peoples. Slavery did exist previous to this, however it was not until this point racially-based. (via themuckofages)

Why does America have a Columbus day?

picturesofwar:

The man who saved the world:

Stanislav Petrov was manning surveillance equipment for the Soviet Air Defense Forces when he noticed something strange on the screen. Soon after, warning signals started flashing with the report of an incoming nuclear missile from the USA.

Seeing only one missile, he figured it was a mistake. He figured Americans wouldn’t send only one missile if they wanted a nuclear war.

Soon thereafter, many more started appearing on the screen.

Nevertheless he trusted his instincts, and rather than contact his superiors he waited to see what would happen. He waited past the perceived time on impact. There was no damage - the warnings were due to a system malfunction.

Had Petrov not defied protocol and contacted his superiors, a real nuke may very well have been fired in response - igniting a nuclear war between the USA and Soviet Union.

September 26, 1983 - 28 years ago today.

Today in history…

genderfuked:

On August 18th, 1920, the 19th Amendment passed, allowing women the right to vote in the United States of America.

I would like to thank all the feminists who worked so tirelessly for the rights of women nation-wide. Our futures, regardless of gender, wouldn’t be the same without your contributions.

khelad:

August 5, 1305
Sir William Wallace captured.

Wallace evaded capture by the English until 5 August 1305 when John de Menteith, a Scottish knight loyal to Edward, turned Wallace over to English soldiers at Robroyston near Glasgow. Wallace was transported to London and taken to Westminster Hall, where he was tried for treason and was crowned with a garland of oak to suggest he was the king of outlaws.

He responded to the treason charge,

“I could not be a traitor to Edward, for I was never his subject.”

With this, Wallace asserted that the absent John Balliol was officially his king.