Hot! Think You Know The Real Christopher Columbus

TONY COX, host: I'm Tony Cox, and this also will be TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Michel Martin is definitely away.

Coming up, all of us head over to this West African state of Liberia because the united states prepares to be able to head to the actual polls. Many tend to be watching to determine no matter whether the current president plus modern Africa's first female brain associated with condition will remain throughout power. That's in just a couple of moments.

But first, these days is actually Columbus Day, daily in which schoolchildren around America celebrate the advent of the man which was acknowledged by using finding some of our country. But given that 1492, we've discovered a lot concerning just what really happened. And today, most people needed to perform a bit myth busting concerning Christopher Columbus .

(SOUNDBITE OF VIDEO, " CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS IS ITS NAME")

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: (Singing) In 1492 Columbus procured his cruise and your dog bravely sailed away.

COX: New York as well as Chicago could mark this day by using parades and celebrations with Christopher Columbus ' trip as well as their Italian heritage, as well as some could protest the morning dialling to get a reconsideration with the effects that will which voyage have on Native American communities. So, the reason the particular conflicting stories?

Well, many of us wished to look at this opportunity to airbrush through to many of the facts related to Christopher Columbus that we may possibly never possess mastered as well as include forgotten from school. With all of us currently to line quite a few Columbus Day misconceptions straight, we've found William Fowler, a distinguished mentor connected with story at Northeastern University in Boston. Bill Fowler, this is the show.

WILLIAM FOWLER: Well, be grateful for you, Tony. It's a pleasure for being here.

COX: Let's bounce right into it. I desire to enter a number of the myths. Here may be the first one.

(SOUNDBITE OF VIDEO, "CHRISTOPHER ROCKIN' BIOGRAPHY")

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #2: One day, your mapmaker branded Christopher Columbus have an idea.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #3: (Singing) Do people realize what? I think the entire world isn't flat during all. I think it truly is spherical being a ball.

COX: So, Bill, your dog couldn't think the actual Earth was flat, right?

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