Early in the 19th century, several New York intellectuals including Washington Irving decided that, as a new nation, America needed new heroes. They chose George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Christopher Columbus. Washington even wrote a biography of Columbus, although he made up make details rather than doing research.
Does that mean that we shoudn't celebrate Columbus Day? No. The reasons that they chose Columbus are as valid today as 200 years ago.
To simplify, without Columbus's voyage, we would not be here today. It doesn't matter what sort of a person Columbus is. We are not celebrating his birthday. We are celebrating the day that he landed on a Caribbean island. This was one of the most important events in history and it had a profound impact that is still felt today.
Remember, in 1492, the Americas had been separated from Europe/Africa/Asia for 60 millions years (except for ice bridges from Siberia). The five continents were inhabited by people who did not know of each other's existence (or Austrailia) 1492 joined the two land masses. Plants and animals were brought back and forth between the continents. The package of avaible foods increased tremendously.
Also, ideas flowed back and forth. The Americas were populated by stone-age people, many of whom still believed in human sacrifice. Europe had its own version with inquisitions. Out of this grew the most tolerant societies in history.
And it started with a single voyage in 1492.
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