Interpretation of history is an evolving process.

Every October, for instance, we see evolution regarding the Columbus Day holiday, the federal holiday acknowledging Christopher Columbus' voyage to the Western Hemisphere.Columbus Day has been a national holiday and part of our culture since the 1930s. About half of the states give employees a paid break from work.And for generations, schoolkids learned a little rhyme: In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.But little by little, states and cities are taking a more objective look at the holiday and events.This year, Denver joined at least nine cities in refocusing Columbus Day to celebrate indigenous natives who lived on the North American continent long before European explorers set foot.Why?Well for one, many say devoting a day to Columbus is not only misleading but celebrates a violent history of colonialism, discrimination and even enslavement.Plus the traditional story of Columbus looks at events from only one angle.Truth is, Columbus wasn't exactly sure where he was. And the land he "discovered" was already occupied.Descendants of Native Americans and others ask: How can somebody discover a land already occupied?And so Internet photos this year showed some Native Americans carrying signs that read: In 1492, Native Americans discovered Columbus lost at sea.It's a matter of perspective.And so change is in the winds.Interestingly, Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, South Dakota and Vermont don't recognize Columbus Day.Hawaii celebrates Discoverers' Day, honoring the Polynesian discoverers of Hawaii. This year, Vermont started celebrating "Indigenous People's Day" instead of Columbus Day.South Dakota celebrates the day as an official state holiday known as "Native American Day."California and Texas no longer provide a paid holiday on Columbus Day.Alaska, too, has moved to rename the holiday Indigenous People's Day. They say it recognizes the true record of what happened.President Barack Obama acknowledged that Native Americans suffered "unseen disease, devastation and violence" as a result of Columbus' arrival.And so the Columbus Day observance has become a potpourri of interpretation.Of course, don't look for Pennsylvania to change anything. Pennsylvania lawmakers don't have a track record of progressive thinking along these lines.Still, the day might come when the federal government takes a new look at the Columbus Day holiday.It's not a matter of rewriting history, but rather seeing it the way it actually happened and setting the record straight.By Donald R. Serfass |

dserfass@tnonline.com