He was born in Italy, served the sovereigns of Spain, got lost at sea and found the Bahamas. We anglicized his name to Christopher Columbus but he was Cristoforo to his mama (and maybe related loosely to that certain wonky-eyed, trench coat wearing detective- oh wait, no, he was fictional, right?). He was known as Cristobal or maybe even Senor Colon to Queen Isabella. (too bad WordPress won’t let me make that tilde symbol so you’d know Colon is pronounced like cologne).
Anyway, by whatever name we call him, we have to be proud of his strong belief in the spherical shape of the world even though he had such an atrocious sense of direction. Thanks for not giving up or turning back, Cris/Chris!
I hope you had a happy Columbus/Columbo/Colon Day yesterday.
House in Italian countryside
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
Thanks,Jillian…my Italian side is proud,the Irish side grateful (and the Cherokee lingering somewhere in there is begrudging)…no matter where you stand, no matter who got where first,no matter what earlier civilization was advanced, I think everyone must agree that the chain of events started by Columbus’ journey to the New World changed every corner of the world forever.
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Tonette- a very nice way to put it. I’m also from the Irish, English and Cherokee lines and feel the same. My many generations back Grandfather was a second son and came here since he was so limited in choices in the old world.
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I’m glad you mentioned these variant names, because I’ve got a surprise for you on Thursday …
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Can’t wait. I love surprises.
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Columbus day is my birthday. I loved it as a kid because it used to be a school holiday. It still is a state one and my kids used to grumble that I got my BD off and they didn’t. Anyway Christopher Columbus or whatever you call him is one of my favorite history figures.
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well, Happy Birthday Lavada!! Here’s hoping it was wonderful.
I love Chris/Cris as well. He was directionally challenged but it worked out for him. AND us.
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Jillian, you’re giving Mel Brooks a run for the money in terms of how much history education I retain. Hmmm, now that I think about it, I bet Mel would have made a great Christopher Columbus. (I’m still waiting for him to come out with “History of the World Part II.)
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WOW. I’m honored to be in such good company. I adore Mel Brooks and in fact, am guesting on Sayde Grace’s blog tomorrow and talking about old Mel. I’m still waiting for that movie, too. LOL!
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He would have been an amazing Columbus. I can hear him now discussing the Bahamian women and their beads and fussing at his navigator. LOL!
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