It is apparent to scholars, historians and now most Americans that Christopher Columbus was not the first to visit or discover the New World. In fact most now also agree that he was not the kind of person who deserves recognition by a national holiday.
Like the state of South Dakota did approximately 23 years ago, the whole nation should honor the indigenous people who were nearly annihilated after the exploration and treatment of Columbus and those who came after him to the “New World”
I therefore petition that Columbus Day be replaced as a national holiday with Native American Heritage Day in recognition of the first inhabitants of this nation who aided the first immigrates and guided our nation's explorers.