Our goal in renaming Columbus Day to Exploration Day is not to belittle the amazing accomplishments and seamanship of Christopher Columbus.  As a matter of fact, he would still be a focus of Exploration Day.  That said, this is a relevant article from Seth Shostak of SETI writing from the Huffington Post:

Neil Armstrong was no Christopher Columbus.

In most respects, he was better. Unlike the famous fifteenth century seafarer, Armstrong knew where he landed. He also spent his time in public service, not in jail, and his passing was marked by world-wide encomiums. He ended his days as a celebrated explorer rather than a royal inconvenience.

 

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